Monitoring Relative Abundance of American Shad in Virginia Rivers · 2019. 8. 1. · 1980-1992, and subsequently used in an assessment of the status of American shad stocks along

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Monitoring Relative Abundance of American Shad in Virginia Rivers

2010 Annual Report Funding Agencies: US Fish and Wildlife Service Virginia Marine Resources Commission Virginia Institute of Marine Science Contract Number: F-116-R-13 Project Period: 15 February 2009 - 14 February 2010 Principal Investigator: Eric J. Hilton

Prepared By:

Dr. Eric J. Hilton, Dr. Rob Latour, Brian Watkins and Ashleigh Rhea

Department of Fisheries Science School of Marine Science

Virginia Institute of Marine Science The College of William and Mary Gloucester Point, VA 23062-1346

Submitted To:

Virginia Marine Resources Commission P.O. Box 756

Newport News, VA 23607-0756

15 April 2011

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Summary • A staked gill net was set and fished each week on the James, York and

Rappahannock rivers in the spring of 2010. This was the thirteenth year of monitoring in a stock assessment program for American shad that was initiated in spring 1998. Our approach was to establish a sentinel fishery, based on traditional methods used prior to the imposition of the current in-river moratorium in 1994. The primary objective is to establish a time series of catch rates that can be compared to historical data recorded in logbooks voluntarily submitted by commercial fishers when the staked gill net fishery was active. The monitoring provides information on the current status of shad stocks relative to conditions prior to the moratorium dating to 1980 in the James and Rappahannock rivers. In the case of the York River, monitoring allows assessment of current status relative to catch rates recorded in the 1980s and the 1950s.

• In 2010, a second sampling location was added on the James River for

comparative purposes. These results are presented separately from the traditional James River sampling location.

• Sampling occurred for twelve weeks on the James River (16 February to 4 May

2010). On the York and Rappahannock rivers, sampling occurred for eleven weeks (23 February to 4 May 2010) and ten weeks (1 March to 4 May 2010), respectively. After 12 April, post-spawning fish were mixed with pre-spawning fish in the catch on the York River. On the James River post spawning fish were encountered after 13 April. No post-spawning fish were observed on the Rappahannock River in 2010. Only pre-spawning fish were included in the calculation of catch indices for each river. A total of 702 pre-spawning female American shad (1010.8 kg total weight) were captured. The 2010 total catch increased from the 2009 catch (633 pre-spawning females weighing 900.5 kg).

• Total numbers and weights of females in 2010 were highest on the James River

(n=383, 541.2 kg). Numbers of females were lower on the York River (n=225, 329.4 kg). The lowest catches of females were recorded on the Rappahannock River (n=94, 140.2 kg). Numbers of males captured was: James, 63; York, 45; Rappahannock, 15. The total weight of males captured on all rivers was 156.1 kg. The total catch and weight of males was higher than it was in 2009 (n=111, 133.0 kg).

• Based on age estimates from scales, the 2005 (age 5) year class of female

American shad was the most abundant on the James and Rappahannock rivers, with peak age-specific seasonal catch rates exceeding 0.0310 kg/m and 0.0106 kg/m respectively. On the York River, the 2004 and 2005 (age 6 and 5) year classes were most abundant with seasonal catch rates of 0.0189 kg/m and 0.0159 kg/m. The 2004 (age 6) year class was also abundant on the James and Rappahannock rivers with seasonal catch rates exceeding 0.0251 kg/m and 0.0084 kg/m respectively. Total instantaneous mortality rates of females calculated from

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age-specific catch rates were: York River, 0.99 (r2=0.87); James River, 1.23 (r2=0.96) and Rappahannock River, 1.05 (r2=0.93). Total instantaneous mortality rates of males calculated from age-specific catch rates were: York River, 0.42 (r2=0.48) and James River, 0.49 (r2=0.99).

• Otoliths of 149 American shad captured on the James River were scanned for

hatchery marks. The proportion of the sample with hatchery marks on the James River was 34.9% (52 of 149 fish). In 2008 and 2009 the prevalence of fish with hatchery marks was 25.6% and 8.9%, respectively. Presence of hatchery fish on the York and Rappahannock rivers continues to be low at 3.3% and 0%, respectively in 2010.

• The geometric mean catch (followed by standard deviation and number of seine

hauls in parentheses) of juvenile American shad captured in daylight seine hauls in 2010 was: James River (inclusive of Chickahominy River), 0.02 (0.121, 65); Chickahominy River, 0 (0, 10); Rappahannock River, 1.19 (1.166, 33); York River (inclusive of Pamunkey and Mattaponi rivers), 0.47 (0.823, 93); Mattaponi River, 0.97 (1.029, 50); and Pamunkey River, 0.06 (0, 38).

• Twenty-five species of fishes (total of 20,154 specimens) were caught as by-catch

in the staked gill net monitoring gear. The total number of striped bass captured was 7,830 (James River, n=3,769; York River, n=2,624; Rappahannock River, n=1,437). Live striped bass captured in the gear were counted and released. A random subsample of the dead striped bass was brought back to the laboratory for analysis. Sex, fork length, and total weight were recorded for each specimen. The proportions of dead striped bass on each river were: James River, 14.1%; York River, 28.6%; and the Rappahannock River, 71.7%.

• A seasonal catch index was calculated by estimating the area under the curve of

daily catch versus day for the years 1998-2010 and for each year of the historical record of staked gill net catches on each river. On the York River, the seasonal catch index in 2010 (4.19) increased from the 2009 value and is the highest value seen since 2007. During the eleven years of monitoring, the index has been variable with high values (>12) in 1998 and 2001 and lower values (<9) in other years. The geometric mean of the historical data during the 1980s on the York River is 3.22. The geometric mean of the current monitoring data is higher (6.02) but this mean is lower than the geometric mean of catch indexes from logbook records in the 1950s (17.44). These older data were adjusted for differences in the efficiency of multifilament and monofilament nets using the results of comparison trials in 2002 and 2003.

• On the James River, the 2010 index (6.90) increased from the 2009 value of 2.69.

The geometric mean of the historical data during the 1980s on the James River is 6.40 while the geometric mean of the current monitoring data is lower (4.26). The stock continues to be dependent on hatchery inputs since recruitment of wild fish is negligible based on available data from juvenile abundance surveys.

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• The catch index on the Rappahannock River in 2010 (2.03) decreased from the

2009 value (5.36), which is the highest value in the time series since 2004. The 2010 index is the lowest value seen since 2000 (1.75). The geometric mean of the historical data during the 1980s on the Rappahannock River is 1.45. The geometric mean of the current monitoring data is higher (3.14).

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Preface

Concern about the decline in landings of American shad (Alosa sapidissima) along the Atlantic coast prompted the development of an interstate fisheries management plan (FMP) under the auspices of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Management Program (ASMFC 1999). Legislation enables imposition of federal sanctions on fishing in those states that fail to comply with the FMP. To be in compliance, coastal states are required to implement and maintain fishery-dependent and fishery-independent monitoring programs as specified by the FMP. For Virginia, these requirements include spawning stock assessments, the collection of biological data on the spawning run (e.g., age-structure, sex ratio, and spawning history), estimation of total mortality, indices of juvenile abundance, biological characterization of permitted by-catch and evaluation of restoration programs by detection and enumeration of hatchery-released fish.

This annual report documents continued compliance with Federal law. Since

1998, scientists at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science have monitored the spawning run of American shad in the James, York and Rappahannock rivers. The information resulting from this program is reported annually to the ASMFC, has formed the basis for a significant number of technical papers published in the professional literature, formed the basis for a recent coast-wide stock assessment and peer review for American shad (ASMFC 2007a, 2007b) and is contributing substantially to our understanding of the status and conservation of this important species.

A number of individuals make significant contributions to the monitoring program and the preparation of this report. Commercial fishermen Raymond Kellum, Marc Brown and Jamie Sanders construct, set, and fish the sampling gear and offer helpful advice. They have participated in the sampling program since its beginning in 1998. Their contributions as authors of historic log books of commercial catches during the 1980s and as expert shad fishermen are essential elements of the monitoring program. We also extend our appreciation to several commercial fishers for their cooperation in our studies of by-catch of American Shad. In 2010, these individuals include: Kenneth Heath, Joseph Hinson, Robert Weagley, and Charles Williams. In 2010, the staff and students of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science who participated in the program were: B. Watkins, P. Crewe, A. Rhea, R. Norris and R. Harris. Their dedication, consistent attention to detail and hard work in the field and in the laboratory are appreciated. B. Watkins determined ages of fish. B. Watkins and A. Rhea determined hatchery origins of fish. Fish products from the sentinel fishery are donated to the Food Bank of Newport News, Virginia. We offer thanks to the Hunters for the Hungry (Virginia Hunters Who Care) organization for their assistance.

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Introduction A moratorium on the taking of American shad (Alosa sapidissima) in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries was established by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) beginning 1 January 1994. The prohibition applied to both recreational and commercial fishers, and was imposed at a time when commercial catch rates of American shad in Virginia's rivers were experiencing declines. At the time, data from the commercial fishery were the best available for assessing the status of individual stocks. Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data were compiled from logbooks that recorded landings by commercial fishermen using staked gill nets at various locations throughout the middle reaches of the James, York and Rappahannock rivers. The logbooks were voluntarily provided to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) during the period 1980-1992, and subsequently used in an assessment of the status of American shad stocks along the Atlantic coast by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) (ASMFC 1999). Immediately following the moratorium, there were no monitoring programs that provided direct assessment of stock recovery. The ban on in-river fishing in Virginia remained in effect, creating a dilemma for managers who needed reliable information in order to make a rational decision on when the in-river ban could be lifted safely. To address this deficiency, a method of scientific monitoring was proposed to estimate catch rates relative to those recorded before the prohibition of in-river fishing in 1994. This monitoring program began in 1998 and consisted of sampling techniques and locations that were consistent with, and directly comparable to, those that generated historical logbook data collected by VIMS during the period 1980-1992 in the York, James and Rappahannock rivers. The results of the thirteenth year in the sampling program (2010) are reported in this document and compared to some results in previous years of monitoring. Detailed results of the first twelve years of sampling (1998-2009) are reported in previous annual reports (Olney and Hoenig 2000a, 2000b, 2001a; Olney and Maki 2002; Olney 2003a, 2004, 2005; Olney and Delano 2006; Olney and Walter 2007; Olney and Watkins 2008, 2009; Olney et al. 2010). Copies of these reports are available upon request.

In addition to the objective of assessment of the status of stocks in Virginia’s rivers, there are other significant information needs. First, extensive efforts are being made to rehabilitate shad stocks through release of hatchery-raised fish. Evaluating the success of these programs requires determination of the survival of the stocked fish to adulthood. Second, there is an extensive time series of observations on juvenile shad abundance from push net surveys in the York River and seine surveys in the James, York and Rappahannock rivers. These juvenile index data could have utility for predicting future spawning run sizes, detecting years of failed recruitment, and confirming the health of the stocks. These ongoing studies of American shad in Virginia waters are directly significant to recreational fisheries and the ecological health of the river systems that support these important fisheries for at least three reasons.

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• American shad fight well when angled using light tackle. Harvest of American shad by the recreational fishery in the James, York and Rappahannock rivers is prohibited but recreational fishing is popular in Florida, North Carolina, Maryland and several other states where these bans do not exist. Anecdotal information suggests that there were historical recreational fisheries for American shad on the James, Mattaponi and Rappahannock rivers. Currently, many anglers catch and release American shad and legally harvest hickory shad (Alosa mediocris) on the James River near Richmond, the Mattaponi River above Walkerton, and the Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg. Recreational fishing also occurs on the Nottoway and Blackwater rivers near Franklin, Virginia; these rivers, however, do not drain into the Chesapeake Bay and the ban on harvest does not apply to these spawning stocks. Continued development of a recreational shad fishery in Virginia could constitute an important opportunity to expand or restore recreational fishing opportunities if the stocks are rehabilitated and managed carefully.

• American shad are important for trophic and ecological reasons. Spawning site

selection by adults as well as the abundance and occurrence of juveniles are closely linked to water quality and the availability of good fish habitat. Young shads and river herrings (Alosa spp.) form an important prey group for striped bass and other recreationally important species in Chesapeake Bay. The decaying carcasses of post-spawning anadromous fishes are known to play an important role in nutrient and mineral recycling in riverine and estuarine systems. In recent years, there have been shifts in community structure in the major tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay with striped bass and gizzard shad numbers increasing greatly. Monitoring changes in abundance of key species is essential for understanding community dynamics.

• Monitoring the shad spawning run using historic gear also allows for a description

of the by-catch associated with a commercial fishery for shad in Virginia’s rivers. This is important for determining the impact of the commercial fishery for shad on other recreationally important species, especially striped bass, if the ban on commercial and recreational harvest of American shad was lifted.

Background Herring and shad have supported recreational and commercial fisheries along the east coast of the United States and within the Chesapeake Bay since colonial times. They also play a vital ecological role. Juvenile alosines are important prey for striped bass and other recreational species while they remain on their freshwater and upper estuarine nursery grounds. In the autumn they move to coastal waters where they are subjected to predation by many types of marine piscivores until they return to their native streams to spawn for the first time at ages 3 to 7 (Maki et al., 2001; Limburg et al. 2003; Tuckey and Olney, 2010).

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Management and conservation of Virginia’s stocks of American shad date to colonial times. Before Virginia was settled, Native Americans caught American shad in large quantities using a seine made of bushes (Walburg and Nichols 1967). Shad were so plentiful that they could be speared with pointed sticks as they swam on the flats (VCF 1875). Remains of American shad and Atlantic sturgeon have been found in archaeological digs at Jamestown, the site of first English settlement (Bowen and Andrews 2000). Apparently, these species were important dietary components during the starving time in 1609. The early settlers used haul seines, and utilized shad as a major food supply (Walburg and Nichols 1967). By 1740, shad were less abundant, presumably due to fishing and obstructions that prevented them from reaching their spawning grounds. Concerned colonists passed laws requiring the removal of dams or the building of fish passages, and prohibiting hedges and other obstructions (VCF 1875). In 1771, the Virginia Assembly passed a law requiring that a gap for fish passage be built in dams adhering to specific dimensions, and that it be kept open from February 10 to the last day of May. However, due to the approaching conflict of the Revolutionary War, the law was never enforced (VCF 1875). The shad fishery of Chesapeake Bay became important in about 1869, and developed greatly in the ensuing years. Fishing gear used included haul seines, pound nets, and staked gill nets (Walburg and Nichols 1967). Catches reached a low in 1878, and the U.S. Fish Commission and Virginia Commission of Fisheries instituted an artificial hatching program in 1875. By 1879 the fishery began to improve, and the increase in catches led biologists to believe that the shad fishery was largely dependent upon artificial propagation. However, by the early 1900s the decline in shad harvests resumed despite improved hatching methods and increased numbers of fry released (Mansueti and Kolb 1953). Stevenson (1899) provided important information on catch and effort in the American shad fishery in Virginia during the fishing season in 1896. Using an average weight per female of 1.7 kg, the following fishery statistics can be obtained from his report. On the lower James River, 60,750 females (approximate weight: 103,278 kg) were landed by staked gill nets totaling approximately 79,263 m in length. On the York River, 28,232 females (approximate weight: 49,994 kg) were landed by staked gill nets totaling approximately 5,874 m in length. The value of these roe shad in 1896 dollars was approximately $4,000. On the Rappahannock River, 104,118 females (approximate weight: 177,000 kg) were landed by staked gill nets totaling 24,694 m in length. The local value of these shad was approximately $8,000. Seasonal catch averages (total female weight/total length of net) depict higher seasonal catch rates on the York River (8.5 kg/m) and the Rappahannock River (7.2 kg/m) than on the James River (1.3 kg/m) in 1896. Stevenson (1899) also reported large catches of American shad on the Chickahominy and Appomattox rivers in 1896. Nichols and Massmann (1963) estimated total catch, fishing rate, escapement and total biomass of American shad in the York River in 1959 and summarized landings during the period 1929-1959. Landings were low (~100,000 lbs annually) in the 1930s but rose abruptly in the years following World War II, reaching the highest levels

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(400,000-700,000 lbs annually) in the 1950s. During this latter period of higher annual landings, catch-per-unit-effort remained relatively constant. Of the major gears used in the fishery in 1959 (pound nets, haul seines, fyke nets, stake gill nets and drift gill nets), gill nets (stake and drift combined) accounted for the greatest effort expended and the highest total catches. A tagging study conducted in 1959 produced the following estimates: overall fishing rate, 55.2%; estimated population biomass, 838,892 lbs; and estimated escapement, 375,768 lbs. Using catch and effort data, Nichols and Massmann (1963) estimated population biomass for the period 1953-1959 to range from 839,000-1,396,000 lbs. Sex composition of the catch was not reported. Using the average female weight of 3.2 lbs in 1959 and assuming that the sex ratio of the catch was 1:1, the estimated total number of females in the York River in 1953-1959 ranged from about 131,000-218,125. Today, many American shad stocks along the eastern seaboard of the United States are in low abundance, based on commercial landings data (Figure 1). Large catches no longer occur as they did at the turn of the century and in many areas, including Chesapeake Bay, harvest is banned or severely restricted. Commercial American shad landings in Virginia decreased from 11.5 million pounds in 1897 to less than a million pounds in 1982. Over-fishing, dam construction, pollution, and loss of natural spawning grounds are a few of the factors that may be related to this decline. Historically, the majority of American shad were captured within the rivers. Beginning in 1984, the largest proportion of American shad taken in Virginia’s fishery was captured offshore. The overall impact of this shift in the fishery on egg production and annual recruitment of Virginia stocks is unknown. Genetic studies of the catch composition of Virginia and Maryland’s coastal landings have suggested that the intercept fishery claimed a highly variable proportion of Virginia’s riverine stocks (Brown and Epifanio 1994). American shad were pursued by recreational fishermen in Virginia in the past, but the extent, success, and impact of this activity is not easily assessed. In spring 1994, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) began a hatchery-restocking effort in the James and Pamunkey rivers. Adult shad from the Pamunkey River are used as brood stock, eggs are stripped and fertilized in the field, and larvae are reared in the VDGIF hatchery at Stephensville, Virginia, and the USFWS Harrison Lake National Fish Hatchery at Charles City, Virginia. Prior to release, the larvae are immersed in an oxytetracycline (OTC) solution that marks otoliths with a distinctive epifluorescent ring. The initial success of this ongoing program was documented by Olney et al. (2003) who reported that catch rates by monitoring gear increased in 2000-2002 as large numbers of mature hatchery fish returned to the James River. Based on data from the current monitoring program, in most years, prevalence of hatchery fish returning as adults to the York system is low (~2-4 % each year). Annual monitoring of the abundance of juvenile Alosa spp. (American shad, hickory shad, blueback herring and alewife) was conducted on the Pamunkey River system during 1979-2002. After 1995, juveniles bearing the OTC mark were collected by VIMS and VDGIF. The data show that hatchery-released larval shad constituted 0.1-8 % of the total catch of juveniles on the Pamunkey River during the 4-y period (1995-1999). VDGIF

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personnel also began a new hatchery-release program on the upper Rappahannock River in 2003. The restoration program uses progeny of Potomac River brood stock. The goal of this program is to restore American shad to historical spawning areas that were previously blocked by Embrey Dam. Prior to 1991, there were no restrictions on the American shad commercial fishery in Virginia rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. A limited season (4 February - 30 April) was established for 1991 by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), and kept in place in 1992. In 1993, a further limitation to the season was established (15 March - 15 April 1993). However, due to bad weather conditions, the season was extended through 30 April. A complete moratorium was established in 1994. At that time, the regulation stated:

“On and after 1 January 1994 it shall be unlawful for any person to catch and retain possession of American shad from the Chesapeake Bay or its tidal tributaries.” (VMRC Regulation 450-01-0069). In 1997 and 1998, during a series of public hearings, commercial-fishing interests

asked that the in-river ban on shad fishing be lifted. This proposal was opposed by the VMRC staff, scientists of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and representatives of various other public and private agencies. The Commission decided to leave the ban in place but also decried the lack of information necessary to assess the recovery of Virginia stocks of American shad. The current monitoring project began in the spring of 1998 in response to the VMRC’s request for information. In spring 2003, Virginia imposed a 40% reduction in effort on the ocean intercept (gillnet) fishery prosecuted on the coast. This reduction in effort was mandated by the ASMFC. According to Amendment 1 (ASMFC 1999), “[States] must begin phase-out reduction plans for the commercial ocean-intercept fishery for American shad over a five-year period. States must achieve at least a 40% reduction in effort in the first three years, beginning January 1, 2000.” The Virginia offshore fishery was closed on 31 December 2004. In spring 2006, the VMRC authorized a limited by-catch fishery for American shad in specific areas. This by-catch authorization was extended into the 2010 fishing season (see Appendix 1). Fishers with special permits were allowed to possess fish caught in anchored or staked gill nets in the by-catch area. The by-catch area in 2010 was defined as those tidal waters of (i) the James River, from the James River Bridge upstream to a line connecting Dancing Point and New Sunken Meadow Creek; (ii) the York River, from the George P. Coleman Bridge upstream to the Rt. 33 Eltham and Lord Delaware bridges at West Point; and (iii) the Rappahannock River, from the Norris Bridge upstream to the Rt. 360 Downing Bridge at Tappahannock. Limits were 10 American shad per boat per day and fishers were required to phone in a weekly report of the harvest. In addition, American shad by-catch could only be possessed if equal numbers of other species (such as striped bass) were also landed.

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Current Information Historic and current catch data can be accessed through the VMRC website (http://www.mrc.state.va.us). Annual monitoring of the abundance of juvenile Alosa spp. (American shad, hickory shad, blueback herring and alewife) was conducted on the York River system with a push net developed in the late 1970s (Kriete and Loesch, 1980) until 2002. The data record extends back to1979 but sampling was not conducted during 1987-1990. The push net survey was terminated in 2002 when it was determined that the survey results were highly correlated with those of the striped bass seine survey (Wilhite et al., 2003). Although fewer individual fish are collected each year in the seine survey as compared to the evening push net survey, the seine survey has larger geographic coverage (all three rivers in Virginia vs. the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers only) and the data record is uninterrupted since 1979.

Since the American shad monitoring program at VIMS began in 1998, 24 papers on various aspects of the biology of American shad and the VIMS stock assessment program have appeared in peer-reviewed journals (Maki et al., 2001; Olney et al., 2001; Olney and Hoenig, 2001b; Maki et al., 2002; Bilkovic et al., 2002a, 2002b; Olney and McBride, 2003; Olney et al., 2003; Walter and Olney, 2003; Wilhite et al., 2003; Olney 2003b; Hoffman and Olney, 2005; McBride et al., 2005; Maki et al., 2006; Olney et al., 2006a, b; Hoffman et al. 2007; Hoffman et al. 2007a, b; Hoffman et al. 2008, Walther et al. 2008; Hoenig et al. 2008; Aunins and Olney 2009; Tuckey and Olney, 2010). Reprints of these papers are available on request.

A presentation summarizing the monitoring program was given at the 2010

Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society in a symposium on the restoration of American shad; a manuscript based on this presentation was recently submitted (Latour et al., in review).

VIMS’ authors contributed to three peer-reviewed sections to the recent stock

assessment for American shad (Olney 2007; Olney et al. 2007; Carpenter et al 2007). The current monitoring program has served as the basis for several theses and dissertations, including a description of the spawning grounds of American shad in the James River (Aunins 2006). Two additional studies formed the basis for a thesis and a dissertation that were supported in part by the monitoring program: a validation of age determination of American shad using otolith isotopes as natural tags (Upton 2008) and a study of the population dynamics of juvenile Alosa spp. in Virginia rivers (Tuckey 2009). Finally, our monitoring data have been used in a recent revision of the on-line Chesapeake Bay Report presented annually by the Chesapeake Bay Program of the Environmental Protection Agency (http://www.chesapeakebay.net).

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Objectives The primary objectives of the monitoring program have remained largely unchanged since 1998: (1) to establish a time series of relative abundance indices of adult American shad during the spawning runs in the James, York and Rappahannock rivers; (2) to relate contemporary indices of abundance of American shad to historical logbook data collected during the period 1980-1992 and older data if available; (3) to assess the relative contribution of hatchery-reared and released cohorts of American shad to adult stocks; (4) to relate recruitment indices (young-of-the-year index of abundance) of American shad to relative year-class strength and age-structure of spawning adults; and (5) to determine the amount of by-catch of other species in the staked gill nets. In 2006 an additional objective (6) was added to monitor a new by-catch fishery for American shad established by the VMRC. The results of this monitoring in 2010 are appended as a report to the ASMFC American shad and river herring technical committee as Appendix I.

Methods

The 2010 sampling methods for the monitoring program were the same as those in 1998-2009 (see Appendix I for additional methods used to monitor the by-catch fishery). In 1998, a sentinel fishery was developed that was as similar as possible to traditional shad fishing methods in the middle reaches of Virginia’s rivers. When the in-river fishing moratorium was imposed in 1994, commercial fishermen who held permits for existing stands of staked gill nets (SGNs) were allowed to retain priority rights for the locations of those stands in the various rivers. VIMS has records of the historic fishing locations (Figures 2-4), and one of these locations on each river (the James, York and Rappahannock) was used to monitor catch rates by SGNs in 1998-2010. Three commercial fishermen were contracted to prepare and set SGN poles, hang nets, replace or repair poles or nets, and set nets for each sampling event during the monitoring period. Two of these commercial fishermen, Mr. Raymond Kellum (Bena, Virginia) and Mr. Marc Brown (Rescue, Virginia), were authors of the historical logbooks on the James and York rivers. However, authors of historic logbooks on the Rappahannock River were either retired or not available. Thus, we chose a commercial fisherman (Mr. Jamie Sanders, Warsaw, Virginia) who had previous experience in SGN fishing but who had not participated in the shad fishery on the Rappahannock River in the 1980s. In addition to the annually monitored fishing location (Station 1), a comparison net (Station 2) was constructed and fished on the James River in 2010. Historic records of American shad catches were not available for this net location, although the site used was formerly fished by the Brown family. Results of the James River net comparisons are presented separately from standard monitoring data in this report. Scientists accompanied commercial fishermen during each sampling trip and all catches were returned to the laboratory for analysis.

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One SGN, 900 ft (approximately 274 m) in length, was set on the York and James rivers (Figures 5-6). One SGN, 912 ft (approximately 277 m) in length, was set on the Rappahannock River (Figure 7). Locations of the sets were as follows: lower James River near the James River Bridge at river mile 10 (360 50.0' N, 760 28.8' W); middle York River near Clay Bank at river mile 14 (370 20.8' N, 760 37.7' W); and middle Rappahannock River near the Rappahannock River bridge (at Tappahannock) at river mile 36 (370 55.9' N, 760 50.4' W). Historical catch-rate data on the York and James rivers were derived from nets constructed of 4 7/8" stretched-mesh monofilament netting, while historic data from the Rappahannock River were based on larger mesh sizes (nets constructed of 5" stretched-mesh). To insure that catch rates in the current monitoring program were comparable to logbook records, nets on the York and James rivers were constructed of 4 7/8" (12.4 cm) stretched-mesh monofilament netting, while nets on the Rappahannock River were constructed of 5" (12.7 cm) netting. Panel lengths were consistent with historical records (30 ft [9.14 m] each on the James and York rivers; 48 ft [14.63 m] each on the Rappahannock River). Each week, nets were fished on two succeeding days (two 24-h sets) and then hung in a non-fishing position until the next sampling episode. Occasionally, weather or other circumstances prevented the regularly scheduled sampling on Monday and Tuesday, and sampling was postponed, canceled or re-scheduled for other days. In 2010, sampling occurred for twelve weeks on the James River (16 February to 4 May 2010); eleven weeks on the York River (23 February to 4 May 2010); and ten weeks on the Rappahannock River (1 March to 4 May 2010). Surface water temperature and salinity were recorded at each sampling event. Individual American shad collected from the monitoring sites were measured and weighed on a Limnoterra FMB IV electronic fish measuring board interfaced with a Mettler PM 30000-K electronic balance. The board recorded measurements (fork length and total length) to the nearest mm, received weight input to the nearest g from the balance, and allowed manual input of additional data (such as field data and comments) or subsample designations (such as gonadal tissue and otoliths) into a data file for subsequent analysis. Catches of all other species were recorded and enumerated on log sheets by observers on each river and released. For striped bass (Morone saxatilis), separate records were kept of the number of live and dead fish in the nets and released (if alive) or returned to the laboratory (if dead). Random subsamples of dead striped bass from each river were analyzed for sex, fork length and total weight. Sagittal otoliths were removed from samples of adult American shad, placed in numbered tissue culture trays, and stored for subsequent screening for hatchery marks. To scan for hatchery marks, otoliths were mounted on slides, then ground and polished by hand using wet laboratory-grade sandpaper. Otolith scanning was performed by B. Watkins and A. Rhea (VIMS) in 2005-2010. Scanning in previous years was performed by D. Hopler (VDGIF), J. Goins (VIMS) and G. Holloman (VIMS). Scales for age determination were removed from a mid-lateral area on the left side posterior to the pectoral-fin base of each fish. Scales were cleaned with a dilute bleach solution, mounted and pressed on acetate sheets, and read on a microfilm projector by one individual (B. Watkins, VIMS) using the methods of Cating (1953). Ages were

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determined by a different reader in 1998-2002 (K. Maki). To ensure consistency, B. Watkins has re-aged all scale samples collected during the monitoring program.

An ASMFC age-determination workshop using known-age fish from the Susquehanna River system was held at VIMS in August 2004 to test the validity of scale-age techniques (McBride et al., 2005). As a result of this analysis, the ASMFC stock assessment subcommittee chose to limit its use of age data in the 2007 coast-wide assessment but not abandon those data entirely (Olney 2007). One recommendation of the workshop was to validate age determination in all major stocks. Upton et al. (in review) used a unique stable isotope signature to track the 2002 cohort for three consecutive years (age-4, age-5, and age-6) in the York River. Neither scale-based methods nor whole otolith-based methods were found to be suitable for aging fish, with 50% and 62% of individuals incorrectly aged, respectively, with the assumption that the isotope signature accurately recorded the correct age. Catch data from each river were used to calculate a standardized catch index (the area under the curve of daily catch rate versus time of year). The catch index, the duration of the run in days, the maximum daily catch rate in each year and the mean catch rate in each year were compared to summaries of historical logbook data to provide a measure of the relative size of the current shad runs. In the historical data, catches are reported daily through the commercial season with occasional instances of skipped days due to inclement weather or damaged fishing gear. In the current monitoring data, catches on two successive days are separated by up to five days (usually Tuesday-Saturday) in each week of sampling. In some rare cases, catches are separated by more than five days. To compute the catch index, we estimated catches on skipped days using linear interpolation between adjacent days of sampling.

Results Evaluation of James River Comparison net in 2010

In 2010 a comparison net (Station 2) was set on the James River at river mile 17 near Days Point (370 02.5' N, 760 35.5' W). Results of this comparison are presented in Table 28. Although total numbers of American shad at the comparison net were lower than at the primary net (Station 1), catch trends, biological attributes and prevalence of hatchery fish were similar to those recorded at the primary net. While data from both stations are presented in all tables and figures, the following discussion and calculations are based only on data from Station 1 to provide continuity with annual reports from previous years. Catches of American shad by staked gill nets in 2010 Fishing days, numbers of American shad captured, catch rates (males and females) and length frequencies are reported in Tables 1-8 and Figures 8.1-15. After 12

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April, post-spawning fish were mixed with pre-spawning fish in the catch on the York River. On 3 May, post-spawning fish were encountered on the James River. Post-spawning females were not encountered on the Rappahannock. Post-spawning fish were identified macroscopically and microscopically depending on gonad condition. Because the historic fishery was a roe fishery and spent or partially-spent fish were not routinely captured or marketed in the historic fishery, post-spawning fish were removed from the monitoring sample. A total of 825 American shad (123 males; 702 females) were captured at primary sampling locations (Table 1). The total weight of the sample was 1166.96 kg (male, 156.13 kg; female, 1010.83 kg). Catches in 2010 were lowest on the Rappahannock River (109 total fish, 15 males and 94 females) and York River (270 total fish, 45 males and 225 females). Catches on the James River, Station 1 (446 total fish, 63 males and 383 females) were highest. On the York River, catches of females peaked between 16 March – 6 April when catch rates usually exceeded 0.05 fish/m or 0.08 kg/m. During that period, 79% (177 of 225) of all females were captured on the York River. Surface temperatures during this time ranged from 9.5 – 17.4oC. The largest catch of pre-spawning female American shad on the York River (42 fish) occurred on 29 March when the surface temperature was 12.9oC (Figure 16; Table 5). On the James River, catches of females peaked between 15 March and 19 April, with catch rates generally exceeding 0.04 fish/m or 0.05 kg/m. During that period 96% (367 of 383) of all females were captured. Surface temperatures during this time ranged from 9.8oC – 16.0oC. The largest catch of pre-spawning female American shad (96 fish) occurred on 29 March when surface temperatures were 12.9oC (Figure 17; Table 3.1). Catches of females on the Rappahannock River peaked on 23 March – 19 April when catch rates exceeded 0.03 fish/m or 0.04 kg/m. During that period on the Rappahannock River, 83% (78 of 94) of all females was captured. Surface temperatures during this time ranged from 13.5oC – 18.9oC. The largest catch of pre-spawning female American shad on the Rappahannock River (17 fish) occurred on 5 April when the surface temperature was 17.2oC (Figure 16; Table 7). As in previous years of monitoring, numbers and catch rates of males were lower than catch rates of females throughout the period. Sex ratios (males:females) were: York River, 1:5.00; James River, 1:6.08 and Rappahannock River, 1:6.27. It is important to note that the monitoring gear mimics an historical fishery that was selective for mature female fish. Catches of males do not likely reflect true abundance. The duration of the spawning run is defined as the number of days between the first and last observation of a catch rate that equals or exceeds 0.01 female kg/m. The 2010 spawning run duration was estimated to be 57 days on the James River (1 March – 26 April; Table 3.1), 44 days on the York River (8 March – 20 April; Table 5), and 50 days on the Rappahannock River (16 March – 4 May; Table 7).

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Biological characteristics of the American shad catch in 2010 Age, mean length (mm TL) and mean weight (g) of American shad in staked gill nets are summarized in Tables 9-10. Patterns of mean age are depicted in Figure 18. Mean total length at age of males and females from all rivers ranged from 428.5-539.0 mm TL and 448.0–598.0 mm TL, respectively. Mean weight at age of males and females from all rivers ranged from 0.92–1.67 kg and 1.11–2.75 kg, respectively. Using scale-based ageing methods, we estimated that the 2005 and 2004 year classes (ages 5 and 6) of female American shad were the most abundant on all rivers (Table 11). On the James River, seven age-classes of females were represented (2001-2007, ages 3-9), with the sample dominated by age-5 fish (44.4% of the total that was aged. On the York River, six age-classes of females were represented (2001-2006, ages 4-9), with the sample dominated by age-6 fish (39.6% of the total that was aged). On the Rappahannock River, five age-classes of females were taken (2000, 2003-2006, ages 10, 4-7), with the sample dominated by age-5 fish (48.8% of the total that was aged). Mean age of females in 2010 was 5.3 y (James River), 5.7 y (York River), and 5.5 y (Rappahannock River). These values are similar to the ones observed in 2009 (Figure 19). The 2005 and 2004 year classes of males were the most abundant on the James River, constituting 59.6% of the fish that were aged (Table 12). On the York River, the 2003 and 2004 age classes of male fish were most abundant (70.6% of the total that was aged). The number of aged males was low on the Rappahannock (n=11), with the 2005 year class being most abundant (54.5% of the total aged). Age-specific catch rates of American shad are reported in Tables 11 and 12 for prespawned females and males, respectively. Total instantaneous mortality (Z) was estimated using simple linear regression analysis of the natural log of age-specific catch on the descending limb of the catch curve. Total instantaneous mortality rates of females were: York River, 0.99 (r2=0.87); James River, 1.23 (r2=0.96) and Rappahannock River, 1.05 (r2=0.93). Total instantaneous mortality rates of males calculated from age-specific catch rates were: York River, 0.42 (r2=0.48) and James River, 0.49 (r2=0.99). Spawning histories of American shad collected in 2010 are presented in Tables 13-14. On the York River, fish (both sexes combined) ranged in age from 4–9 years with 0 (virgin) to 5 spawning marks. On the James River, fish (both sexes combined) ranged in age from 3-10 years with 0-6 spawning marks. On the Rappahannock River, fish (both sexes combines) ranged in age from 4-10 years with 0-5 spawning marks. The following percentages of fish in each river had at least one prior spawn (termed “repeat spawners”): York River, 62.4% (85 virgins in a sample of 226); James River, 43.4% (215 virgins in a sample of 380) and Rappahannock River 49.5% (46 virgins in a sample of 91 fish).

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Evaluation of hatchery origin of American shad in 2010 James River - Otoliths of 149 American shad on the James River were processed for hatchery marks. The proportion of the 2010 sample with hatchery marks was 34.9% (52 of 149 fish). The biological attributes of these specimens are presented in Table 15. Prevalence of hatchery fish has been variable with a peak of 51.4% in 2003. From 2003 to 2006, prevalence declined to 10.3%. In 2007, the proportion of fish with hatchery tags once again rose to 32.2%. In 2008, prevalence was 25.6% and the 2009 value of 8.8% was the lowest value seen in 10 years of monitoring. In 2010 the hatchery prevalence rose to 34.9%, the highest value recorded since 2003. The strength of the James River catch index continues to rely of the prevalence of hatchery fish (Figure 20). A correlation analysis among the catch index and hatchery prevalence from 1998-2010 was statistically significant (r = 0.754, df = 11, p =0.003). In most years, fish with hatchery tags from rivers other than the James River were detected in the monitoring sample. These strays were not included in the estimates of hatchery prevalence and are as follows (year captured as an adult, number, river of release): 1999, n= 1, Patuxent River (Maryland); 2000, n= 7, Pamunkey River (Virginia) and Juniata River (Pennsylvania); 2001, n= 3, Pamunkey River, Juniata River, and the western branch of the Susquehanna River (Pennsylvania); 2002, n= 2, Pamunkey River, n= 2 unknown tag; 2005, n=3, tentatively Pamunkey River and Mattaponi River (Virginia); 2007, n=1, Pamunkey River (Virginia); 2008, n=1, Undetermined; 2009, n=1, Chemung River (New York); 2010, n=2, Susquehanna River (Pennsylvania). In 2003, 2004, 2006 there were no stray fish. Most hatchery-reared adults taken in 2010 had OTC marks that indicated these specimens were released after 2003. These tags could not be easily differentiated microscopically, so we determined the year of release using scale-determined ages (Tables 13-16). Most of the fish in the sample were from the 2004, 2005 and 2006 year classes. All of the fish in 2006 year class were virgins. A large percentage of the 2004 and 2005 year classes, 46.2% and 77.8% were virgins. Only one fish was from the 2003 year class. York and Rappahannock Rivers - Otoliths of 90 American shad (33.3% of the total that were caught) from the York River were processed for hatchery marks. Three specimens (3.3%) with OTC marks were detected. There were no strays present in the sample. In 2010, 37 American shad (33.9% of the total that were caught) from the Rappahannock river were scanned for the prevalence of hatchery marks. No fish with hatchery marks from the Rappahannock River were found. One stray from the Potomac River was discovered. Stocking of American shad in the Rappahannock River began in 2003.

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Juvenile abundance of American shad Tables 17 and 18 and Figures 21-24 report index values of juvenile abundance of American shad based on seine surveys (1979-2010) on the James and Chickahominy rivers, the Rappahannock River, the main stem of the York River, the Pamunkey River and the Mattaponi River. The geometric mean catch (followed by standard deviation and number of seine hauls in parentheses) of juvenile American shad captured in daylight seine hauls in 2010 was: James River, inclusive of Chickahominy River, 0.02 (0.121, 65); Chickahominy River, 0 (0, 10); Rappahannock River, 1.19 (1.166, 33); York River, inclusive of Pamunkey and Mattaponi Rivers, 0.47 (0.823, 93); Mattaponi River, 0.97 (1.029, 50); and Pamunkey River, 0.06 (0.189, 38). Calculations for all years were adjusted in 2009 to include fish greater than 72 mm, which had not been included in the indices in previous years. In 2010, additional stations were added to the index calculation on the James River. The seine survey data on the James River (Table 17) in recent years (2006-2010) shows measureable recruitment. In years before this, recruitment numbers were sporadic, with no catches of juveniles in many years. In 2010, James River indices for all years were recalculated to include additional seine survey stations located in the upper James and Chickahominy rivers. Independent results from the Chickahominy River are also reported, although it is unknown whether fish captured in this river form a unique stock (i.e., distinct from that of the James River). Stocking of American shad took place on Chickahominy Lake in 2000 and on the Chickahominy River in 2004. Results from an independent survey below Bosher’s Dam on the James River depict no measureable recruitment in most years (VDGIF, T. Gunter, pers. comm.). On the Rappahannock River, the highest JAI value in the time series was recorded in 2010. The Rappahannock River time series depicts no measurable recruitment in 1980-1981, 1985, 1988, 1991-1992, 1995, and 2002. Within the York River system, except for 2003, the juvenile index values based on the seine survey are consistently higher on the Mattaponi River than they are on the Pamunkey River and the York River (Table 18). In the time series, recruitment is highest (>7.0 on the Mattaponi River and >3.0 on the York River) in 1982, 1984-85, 1996, 2003 and 2004. Recruitment was low (<0.10) on both of these rivers in 2009; there was no measureable recruitment in the Pamunkey River in 1986-1989, 1992-1993, 1999, and 2007-2009.

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By-catch of striped bass and other species in 2010 Daily numbers and seasonal totals of striped bass and other species captured in staked gill nets are reported in Tables 19-21. Twenty-five species of fishes were taken as by-catch in the staked gill net monitoring gear for a total of 20,154 specimens. The most commonly encountered by-catch species were: gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), striped bass (Morone saxatilis), menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) and blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus).

The total number of striped bass captured was 7,830 (James River, n=3,769; York River, n=2624; Rappahannock River, n=1437). Live striped bass captured in the gear were counted and released. The proportions of dead striped bass on each river were: James River, Station 1, 14.1%; York River, 28.6%; and the Rappahannock River, 71.7%. A subsample of dead striped bass was collected on each river. Length of males and females ranged from 356 - 762 mm FL and 445 - 910 mm FL, respectively. Total weights of males and females ranged from 0.60 – 5.04 kg and 1.22 – 8.09 kg, respectively. Seasonal catch indices, 1980-1992 and 1998-2010 A seasonal catch index was calculated by estimating the area under the curve of daily catch versus day for the years 1998-2010 and for each year of the historical record of staked net catches on each river (Tables 22-27 and Figures 25-28). Seasonal catch indices in 2010 were: York River, 4.19; Rappahannock River, 2.03; James River, 6.90.

Discussion

The staked gill net monitoring program continues to be useful for assessment of stocks of American shad in Virginia. It is the only direct method available to determine the size of the spawning runs relative to what was obtained in the decades prior to the moratorium. The program also provides information for evaluating the hatchery-based restoration program, validating the juvenile index of abundance and for determining the amount of by-catch that could be expected in a commercial fishery if the in-river fishing ban is lifted. In 1998, states were required to develop and submit restoration targets for stocks under moratorium. Virginia presented preliminary targets to the Plan Review Team of the ASMFC Shad and River Herring Management Board with the proviso that these targets would be revised as appropriate historical data became available (see below). Criteria to achieve restoration targets were proposed as either: (1) a three-year period during which the catch index remains at or above the target level in the staked gill net monitoring of the spawning run; (2) a three-year period during which the average catch

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index is above the target level and the target level is exceeded in two of the years; or (3) a significant increasing trend over a five-year period with the target exceeded in the last two years. Voluntary logbooks of catches from the York River exist in the archives of the Department of Fisheries Science (Table 24). These historical records from the 1950s form the basis for gear comparison trials conducted in 2002 and 2003 in the York River (Maki et al., 2006). Based on these comparisons, we have concluded that the multifilament nets of the type used in the 1950s have approximately half of the fishing power of monofilament nets used in the 1980s and the current monitoring. Thus, the older data have been adjusted upward (by a factor of 2.16) to make appropriate comparisons with current monitoring results. Voluntary log books from the 1950s also exist for the James River. The most extensive data are those of Mr. J. C. Smith who fished staked gill nets on the upper James River in 1954-1957, just above the mouth of the Chickahominy River. Current monitoring on the James River is well below this location, complicating direct comparisons with Smith’s log books. There are no historic records in department archives for the Rappahannock River.

Using the information presented above and additional analysis, the ASMFC stock assessment subcommittee developed benchmarks for restoration of Virginia’s stock of American shad (ASMFC 2007a). These benchmarks were reviewed and accepted by the ASMFC American shad stock assessment peer review panel in 2007 (ASMFC 2007b). For the York River, a restoration target of 17.44 (the geometric mean of the catch index values observed in 1953-1957) was accepted as an appropriate benchmark to assess the stocks since American shad abundance in the 1980s was insufficient to support the fishery. In the 1950s, shad abundance was higher (estimated at 131,000-218,000 total females annually using data from Nichols and Massmann, 1962), and landings were relatively stable in the face of a high fishing rate (50%). Thus, restoring the York River shad stocks to a 1950s level could allow for a sustainable fishery operating at a lower level of exploitation. For the James River, an interim target of 6.40 (the geometric mean of the catch index values observed in 1980-1993) is available. However, American shad abundance in the 1980s was insufficient to support the fishery. The James River stock is dependent on hatchery inputs and there is strong evidence of persistent recruitment failure of wild stocks.

For the Rappahannock River, an interim restoration target of 1.45 (the geometric mean of the catch index values observed in 1980-1993) is available.

On the York River, the seasonal catch index in 2010 was 4.19. This value is higher than the 2009 value of 2.92. During twelve years of monitoring, the index has been variable with high values (>12) in 1998 and 2001 and lower values (<9) in other

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years. The geometric mean of the historical data during the 1980s on the York River is 3.22. The geometric mean of the current monitoring data is higher (6.02), but this mean is lower than the benchmark based on 1950s data (17.44). In recent years of monitoring (2006 - 2010), mean age of females has increased as a result of lower proportions of younger fish in the monitoring catch (Figure 18). In 2009 and 2010 the proportion of age 4 female recruits was at an all time low (Figure 19). Catch indices have been trending downward in recent years and are close to all-time lows.

Our overall assessment of the York River stock is that it has recovered to a level

that is close to its average abundance during the 1980s. However, as noted previously, the stock level was low during that period, and incapable of supporting an active fishery. Since 2004, the catch index has shown a significant decline and is cause for concern. Although there is a moratorium on American shad harvest in the Chesapeake Bay, there are fish taken in the York River each year from several sources. Since 2005 there has been a limited by-catch fishery of American shad. Results from this permitted activity in 2010 are reported in Appendix I. The Mattaponi and Pamunkey tribal governments harvest American shad but do not report landings to the VMRC, following the treaty of 1677. There are also losses to capture of brood stock on the Pamunkey River by the VDGIF. The stock is currently well below the proposed 1950s target (Figure 28) when abundance of American shad was higher and harvest was apparently sustainable (Nichols and Massmann, 1963). As a result, the stock requires continued protection. On the James River, the 2010 index (6.90) increased from 2009 (2.69). This value is still well below the peak catch index observed in the 1980s (29.20). Index values in 2000-2005 were higher than those in 1998 and 1999 (2.57 and 2.99, respectively). In 2006, the index fell to a value of 1.74, but recovered in 2007 to 4.45. The lowest value in the eleven year time-series was recorded in 2008 (1.51). The geometric mean of the historical data during the 1980s on the James River is 6.40. The geometric mean of the current monitoring data is lower (4.26). Hatchery cohorts are believed to be recruiting in high proportions to the population. Prevalence of hatchery fish on the James River continues to be high (34.9% of fish caught in 2010). Our overall assessment for the James River is that the stock remains at historically low levels and is dependent on hatchery inputs (Figure 20). Due to budget constraints stocking efforts of American shad on the James River have been reduced in recent years. The current reduction in stocking effort is projected to continue. On the Rappahannock River, the 2010 index (2.03) decreased from 2009 (5.36) and is below the 1998–2010 geometric mean (3.14). The 2003-2004 index values were higher than any previous year of monitoring and higher than all years of the historic data. The 1998-2010 geometric mean (3.14) is above the mean of the historical data (1.45) and the 2003-2004 index values were above the proposed target of 6. However, 2005-2010 values have continued to stay below the proposed target of 6. It should be noted that since the catch index for the Rappahannock River is low in the historical data relative to the York and James rivers, there is uncertainty about what an appropriate target level should be for this stock.

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Maki, K.L., J.M. Hoenig, J.E. Olney and D.M. Heisey. 2006. Comparing historical

catches of American shad in multifilament and monofilament nets: a step toward

24

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25

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26

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27

Table 1. Summary of sampling dates, total number, and total weight of American shad captured in staked gill nets in the James, York, and Rappahannock Rivers, spring 2010.

Sampling Location Sampling dates in

2010

Total pre-

spawn females

Total males

Total pre-spawn female weight

(kg)

Total male weight

(kg) Total fish

Total weight

(kg)

James River, Station 1 2/16-5/4 383 63 541.22 83.52 446 624.74

James River, Station 2 2/22-5/4 78 13 113.36 15.84 91 129.20

York River 2/23-5/4 225 45 329.42 53.96 270 383.38 Rappahannock

River 3/1-5/4 94 15 140.19 18.65 109 158.84 Totals 780 136 1124.19 171.97 916 1296.16

28

Table 2. Total length, fork length, and total weight of post-spawning female American shad taken in a staked gill net in the York River and James River, spring 2010. These individuals were removed from the monitoring data.

Sampling Location Date Specimen number

Total length (mm)

Fork length (mm)

Total weight (g)

York River 4/12/2010 15049 479 422 986.6 4/13/2010 15086 459 414 882.0 4/13/2010 15090 525 465 1381.4 4/19/2010 15111 509 456 1264.3 4/19/2010 15112 460 413 927.2 4/19/2010 15113 471 424 1059.5 4/19/2010 15114 500 445 1369.5 4/19/2010 15116 502 447 1232.6 4/19/2010 15120 549 493 1609.2 4/19/2010 15121 470 410 988.2 4/19/2010 15125 463 406 846.5 4/19/2010 15129 455 403 948.6 4/19/2010 15131 500 451 1105.0 4/20/2010 15155 508 458 1212.4 4/20/2010 15156 530 467 1428.6 4/20/2010 15157 482 424 1064.7 4/20/2010 15159 506 454 1127.9 4/20/2010 15160 518 460 1649.3 4/20/2010 15161 527 471 1287.6 4/20/2010 15162 534 473 1454.2 4/20/2010 15163 539 473 1505.5 4/20/2010 15164 506 445 1312.9 4/20/2010 15165 503 449 1417.6 4/20/2010 15166 456 403 998.3 4/20/2010 15167 530 476 1511.5 4/26/2010 15183 514 450 1280.6 4/26/2010 15184 495 440 1070.7 4/26/2010 15185 476 420 972.3 4/26/2010 15186 506 449 1086.1 4/26/2010 15188 558 502 1530.2 4/27/2010 15191 530 476 1432.0 4/27/2010 15193 514 462 1178.8 4/27/2010 15194 473 424 1139.3

James River Sta. 1 5/3/2010 15200 471 415 1107.6 James River Sta. 2 4/13/2010 15108 449 397 869.1

4/13/2010 15109 533 476 1301.3 4/27/2010 15199 527 470 1466.5

29

Table 3.1. Dates of capture, number, total weight, and catch rates of pre-spawn female American shad taken in staked gill net monitoring on the James River: Station 1, spring 2010.

Date Day of year Number Catch rate

(count/m/day)Total weight

(g) Catch rate (kg/m/day)

2/16/2010 47 0 0 0 0

2/17/2010 48 0 0 0 0

2/22/2010 53 0 0 0 0

2/23/2010 54 0 0 0 0

3/1/2010 60 3 0.010 3831.6 0.013

3/2/2010 61 2 0.009 2850.8 0.012

3/8/2010 67 5 0.019 6892.8 0.027

3/9/2010 68 1 0.004 1267.9 0.005

3/15/2010 74 19 0.066 27875.9 0.097

3/16/2010 75 26 0.087 36002.0 0.120

3/22/2010 81 42 0.158 60186.8 0.226

3/23/2010 82 56 0.202 78684.8 0.284

3/29/2010 88 96 0.357 137690.4 0.513

3/30/2010 89 33 0.119 46212.6 0.167

4/5/2010 95 36 0.134 51017.5 0.190

4/6/2010 96 28 0.101 38445.5 0.139

4/12/2010 102 11 0.041 16879.8 0.064

4/13/2010 103 11 0.036 15983.6 0.052

4/19/2010 109 9 0.034 11092.3 0.042

4/20/2010 110 2 0.007 2593.6 0.009

4/26/2010 116 2 0.008 2525.5 0.010

4/27/2010 117 1 0.004 1183.8 0.004

5/3/2010 123 0 0 0 0

5/4/2010 124 0 0 0 0 Totals 383 541217.3

30

Table 3.2. Dates of capture, number, total weight, and catch rates of pre-spawn female American shad taken in staked gill net monitoring on the James River: Station 2, spring 2010.




2/22/2010 53 0 0 0 0

2/23/2010 54 0 0 0 0

3/1/2010 60 0 0 0 0

3/8/2010 67 0 0 0 0

3/9/2010 68 0 0 0 0

3/15/2010 74 1 0.004 1194.1 0.004

3/16/2010 75 15 0.055 20899.4 0.076

3/22/2010 81 6 0.021 8568.9 0.030

3/23/2010 82 7 0.025 9478.5 0.034

3/29/2010 88 11 0.038 16370.1 0.057

3/30/2010 89 19 0.055 27794.1 0.080

4/5/2010 95 6 0.021 8947.0 0.031

4/6/2010 96 2 0.007 2942.7 0.011

4/12/2010 102 6 0.021 9604.8 0.034

4/13/2010 103 1 0.004 1482.6 0.006

4/19/2010 109 4 0.014 6074.5 0.022

4/20/2010 110 0 0 0 0

4/26/2010 116 0 0 0 0

4/27/2010 117 0 0 0 0

5/3/2010 123 0 0 0 0

5/4/2010 124 0 0 0 0 Totals 78 113356.7

31

Table 4.1. Dates of capture, number, total weight, and catch rates of male American shad taken in staked gill net monitoring on the James River: Station l, spring 2010.




2/16/2010 47 0 0 0 0 2/17/2009 48 0 0 0 0 2/22/2010 53 0 0 0 0 2/23/2010 54 0 0 0 0 3/1/2010 60 1 0.003 1274.7 0.004 3/2/2010 61 1 0.004 1365.9 0.006 3/8/2010 67 1 0.004 1169.9 0.005 3/9/2010 68 1 0.004 988.4 0.004 3/15/2010 74 5 0.017 6852.2 0.024 3/16/2010 75 8 0.027 10613.4 0.035 3/22/2010 81 10 0.038 13735.2 0.052 3/23/2010 82 6 0.022 7849.2 0.028 3/29/2010 88 18 0.067 23985.9 0.089 3/30/2010 89 6 0.022 8041.5 0.029 4/5/2010 95 4 0.015 5676.8 0.021 4/6/2010 96 1 0.004 1160.5 0.004 4/12/2010 102 0 0 0 0 4/13/2010 103 0 0 0 0 4/19/2010 109 0 0 0 0 4/20/2010 110 0 0 0 0 4/26/2010 116 0 0 0 0 4/27/2010 117 0 0 0 0 5/3/2010 123 0 0 0 0 5/4/2010 124 1 0.004 801.4 0.003

Totals 63 83515.0

32

Table 4.2. Dates of capture, number, total weight, and catch rates of male American shad taken in staked gill net monitoring on the James River: Station 2, spring 2010.




2/22/2010 53 0 0 0 0 2/23/2010 54 0 0 0 0 3/1/2010 60 0 0 0 0 3/8/2010 67 0 0 0 0 3/9/2010 68 0 0 0 0 3/15/2010 74 3 0.011 3681.7 0.014 3/16/2010 75 3 0.011 3748.7 0.014 3/22/2010 81 1 0.003 1464.1 0.005 3/23/2010 82 1 0.004 1126.6 0.004 3/29/2010 88 0 0 0 0 3/30/2010 89 2 0.006 2420.6 0.007 4/5/2010 95 3 0.010 3394.3 0.012 4/6/2010 96 0 0 0 0 4/12/2010 102 0 0 0 0 4/13/2010 103 0 0 0 0 4/19/2010 109 0 0 0 0 4/20/2010 110 0 0 0 0 4/26/2010 116 0 0 0 0 4/27/2010 117 0 0 0 0 5/3/2010 123 0 0 0 0 5/4/2010 124 0 0 0 0

Totals 13 15836.0

33

Table 5. Dates of capture, number, total weight, and catch rates of pre-spawn female American shad taken in staked gill net monitoring on the York River, spring 2010.

Date Day of year Number Catch rate (count/m/day)

Total weight (g)

Catch rate (kg/m/day)

2/23/2010 54 0 0 0 0

2/24/2010 55 1 0.004 1355.3 0.005

3/1/2010 60 0 0 0 0

3/2/2010 61 1 0.004 1242.3 0.005

3/8/2010 67 5 0.018 7890.6 0.029

3/9/2010 68 4 0.015 6449.5 0.024

3/15/2010 74 5 0.018 7667.6 0.028

3/16/2010 75 26 0.095 38132.0 0.139

3/22/2010 81 15 0.055 21426.2 0.078

3/23/2010 82 22 0.080 33962.2 0.124

3/29/2010 88 42 0.156 61019.9 0.227

3/30/2010 89 23 0.080 32138.4 0.112

4/5/2010 95 22 0.080 33086.8 0.121

4/6/2010 96 27 0.098 39770.9 0.145

4/12/2010 102 9 0.034 13144.4 0.049

4/13/2010 103 3 0.011 4346.4 0.016

4/19/2010 109 11 0.040 15317.7 0.056

4/20/2010 110 7 0.026 9960.6 0.036

4/26/2010 116 1 0.004 1151.5 0.004

4/27/2010 117 0 0 0 0

5/3/2010 123 0 0 0 0

5/4/2010 124 1 0.004 1359.2 0.005

Totals 225 329421.5

34

Table 6. Dates of capture, number, total weight, and catch rates of male American shad taken in staked gill net monitoring on the York River, spring 2010.


Total weight (g)


2/23/2010 54 0 0 0 0

2/24/2010 55 0 0 0 0

3/1/2010 60 0 0 0 0

3/2/2010 61 0 0 0 0

3/8/2010 67 4 0.015 3869.8 0.014

3/9/2109 68 6 0.022 7515 0.027

3/15/2010 74 5 0.018 6038.7 0.022

3/16/2010 75 5 0.018 6325.2 0.023

3/22/2010 81 2 0.007 2462 0.009

3/23/2010 82 3 0.011 4158.6 0.015

3/29/2010 88 6 0.022 8163.9 0.030

3/30/2010 89 4 0.014 4449.4 0.016

4/5/2010 95 4 0.015 4935.6 0.018

4/6/2010 96 2 0.007 2208.3 0.008

4/12/2010 102 0 0 0 0

4/13/2010 103 0 0 0 0

4/19/2010 109 2 0.007 2202.6 0.008

4/20/2010 110 1 0.004 821.2 0.003

4/26/2010 116 0 0 0 0

4/27/2010 117 1 0.004 812.1 0.003

5/3/2010 123 0 0 0 0

5/4/2010 124 0 0 0 0

Totals 45 53962.4

35

Table 7. Dates of capture, number, total weight, and catch rates of pre-spawn female American shad taken in staked gill net monitoring on the Rappahannock River, spring 2010.


Total weight (g)


3/1/2010 60 0 0 0 0

3/2/2010 61 1 0.004 1207.1 0.004

3/8/2010 67 0 0 0 0

3/9/2010 68 0 0 0 0

3/15/2010 74 0 0 0 0

3/16/2010 75 3 0.012 3900.4 0.015

3/22/2010 81 2 0.007 3067.9 0.011

3/23/2010 82 9 0.032 14730.2 0.053

3/29/2010 88 14 0.050 22489.0 0.081

4/5/2010 95 17 0.061 24462.2 0.088 4/6/2010 96 13 0.047 18736.5 0.067 4/12/2010 102 11 0.041 14566.0 0.054

4/13/2010 103 6 0.022 9553.5 0.034

4/19/2010 109 8 0.030 11676.4 0.044

4/20/2010 110 5 0.018 8505.4 0.031

4/26/2010 116 0 0 0 0

4/27/2010 117 3 0.011 4503.3 0.016

5/3/2010 123 0 0 0 0

5/4/2010 124 2 0.007 2789.4 0.010

Totals 94 140187.3

36

Table 8. Dates of capture, number, total weight, and catch rates of male American shad taken in staked gill net monitoring on the Rappahannock River, spring 2010.


Total weight (g)


3/1/2010 60 0 0 0 0

3/2/2010 61 0 0 0 0

3/8/2010 67 0 0 0 0

3/9/2010 68 0 0 0 0

3/15/2010 74 0 0 0 0

3/16/2010 75 5 0.020 6201.5 0.024

3/22/2010 81 1 0.004 1280.3 0.005

3/23/2010 82 2 0.007 2408.5 0.009

3/29/2010 88 2 0.007 3005.1 0.011

4/5/2010 95 1 0.004 1317.3 0.005 4/6/2010 96 3 0.011 3177.7 0.011 4/12/2010 102 0 0 0 0

4/13/2010 103 0 0 0 0

4/19/2010 109 0 0 0 0

4/20/2010 110 1 0.004 1262.8 0.005

4/26/2010 116 0 0 0 0

4/27/2010 117 0 0 0 0

5/3/2010 123 0 0 0 0

5/4/2010 124 0 0 0 0

Totals 15 18653.2

37

Table 9. Mean total length and mean weight of pre-spawn female American shad captured in staked gill nets in the James, York, and Rappahannock Rivers, spring 2010. The abbreviation NA is “not aged”. Age estimates are based on examination of scales following Cating (1953).

River Year class Number Mean total length (mm)

Standard deviation

Mean weight (g)

Standard deviation

James River Station 1 2007 1 448.0 1114.5

2006 49 467.4 24.1 1251.8 178.7

2005 148 480.7 19.6 1367.8 163.5

2004 111 492.0 21.6 1476.0 206.9

2003 19 521.4 29.1 1773.9 280.1

2002 4 545.5 39.5 1930.8 372.6

2001 1 531.0 1787.2

NA 50 485.2 22.0 1385.6 193.9

James River Station 2 2006 8 477.4 24.2 1314.3 155.7

2005 29 479.8 21.2 1357.0 156.8

2004 15 496.7 18.8 1560.3 180.3

2003 8 513.3 25.6 1741.3 295.4

NA 18 489.4 31.2 1453.0 223.3

York River 2006 15 466.2 20.1 1241.9 136.7

2005 70 475.2 18.3 1360.6 180.3

2004 76 489.8 16.3 1488.1 154.7

2003 22 512.7 17.6 1717.5 192.1

2002 8 533.4 14.9 1873.0 195.2

2001 1 528.0 1770.7

NA 33 487.9 20.5 1452.0 196.0 Rappahannock River 2006 5 459.8 25.6 1248.3 191.1

2005 39 478.4 21.0 1420.0 158.7 2004 28 492.8 20.5 1571.0 200.3

2003 7 503.1 34.9 1614.6 244.5

2000 1 598.0 2752.5

NA 14 487.6 20.1 1465.9 165.5

38

Table 10. Mean total length and mean weight of male American shad captured in staked gill nets in the James, York, and Rappahannock Rivers, spring 2010. The abbreviation NA is “not aged”. Age estimates are based on examination of scales following Cating (1953).

River Year class Number Mean total length (mm)

Standard deviation

Mean weight (g)

Standard deviation


2005 16 481.3 31.5 1302.2 170.4

2004 12 486.2 25.8 1310.0 183.5

2003 7 489.7 15.9 1402.8 95.8

2002 3 503.0 16.1 1551.1 63.3

2001 2 513.0 9.9 1572.2 26.4

2000 1 539.0 1667.2

NA 16 476.8 30.6 1252.3 263.1


2005 3 449.3 3.8 1038.4 122.9

2004 2 468.0 17.0 1270.8 52.3

2003 2 482.0 15.6 1329.1 277.8

NA 3 487.7 28.1 1375.5 162.1

York River 2006 2 428.5 44.5 924.1 353.3

2005 5 459.4 21.5 1208.2 111.9

2004 12 459.3 15.5 1167.1 143.7

2003 12 465.1 14.6 1144.4 172.0

2002 2 486.5 29.0 1322.9 428.4 2001 1 500.0 1539.9 NA 11 471.7 28.9 1286.3 260.1

Rappahannock River 2005 6 446.8 17.7 1063.1 157.4 2004 2 457.5 7.8 1181.9 191.5

2003 3 495.0 10.5 1530.2 237.1

NA 4 477.8 26.7 1330.0 167.1

39

Table 11. Number, total weight, and seasonal catch rates by year class of pre-spawn female American shad captured in staked gill nets in the James, York, and Rappahannock Rivers, spring 2010. The abbreviation NA is “not aged”. Age estimates are based on examination of scales following Cating (1953).

River Year class Number Total weight

(kg) Total effort

(days)

Seasonal catch rate

(count/m/season)

Seasonal catch rate

(kg/m/season)James River Station 1 2007 1 1.1 23.8 0.0002 0.0002

2006 49 61.3 23.8 0.0075 0.0094

2005 148 202.4 23.8 0.0227 0.0310

2004 111 163.8 23.8 0.0170 0.0251

2003 19 33.7 23.8 0.0029 0.0052

2002 4 7.7 23.8 0.0006 0.0012

2001 1 1.8 23.8 0.0002 0.0003

NA 50 69.3 23.8 0.0077 0.0106


2005 29 39.4 21.4 0.0049 0.0067

2004 15 23.4 21.4 0.0026 0.0040

2003 8 13.9 21.4 0.0014 0.0024

NA 18 26.2 21.4 0.0031 0.0045

York River 2006 15 18.6 21.8 0.0025 0.0031

2005 70 95.2 21.8 0.0117 0.0159 2004 76 113.1 21.8 0.0127 0.0189

2003 22 37.8 21.8 0.0037 0.0063

2002 8 15.0 21.8 0.0013 0.0025

2001 1 1.8 21.8 0.0002 0.0003

NA 33 47.9 21.8 0.0055 0.0080

Rappahannock River 2006 5 6.2 18.8 0.0010 0.0012

2005 39 55.4 18.8 0.0075 0.0106

2004 28 44.0 18.8 0.0054 0.0084

2003 7 11.3 18.8 0.0013 0.0022 2000 1 2.8 18.8 0.0002 0.0005

NA 14 20.5 18.8 0.0027 0.0039

40

Table 12. Number, total weight, and seasonal catch rates by year class of male American shad captured in staked gill nets in the James, York, and Rappahannock Rivers, spring 2010. The abbreviation NA is “not aged”. Age estimates are based on examination of scales following Cating (1953).

River Year class Number Total weight

(kg) Total effort

(days)

Seasonal catch rate

(count/m/season)

Seasonal catch rate

(kg/m/season)James River Station 1 2006 6 7.6 23.8 0.0009 0.0012

2005 16 20.8 23.8 0.0025 0.0032

2004 12 15.7 23.8 0.0018 0.0024

2003 7 9.8 23.8 0.0011 0.0015

2002 3 4.7 23.8 0.0005 0.0007

2001 2 3.1 23.8 0.0003 0.0005

2000 1 1.7 23.8 0.0002 0.0003

NA 16 20.0 23.8 0.0025 0.0031


2005 3 3.1 21.4 0.0005 0.0005

2004 2 2.5 21.4 0.0003 0.0004

2003 2 2.7 21.4 0.0003 0.0005

NA 3 4.1 21.4 0.0005 0.0007 York River 2006 2 1.8 21.8 0.0003 0.0003

2005 5 6.0 21.8 0.0008 0.0010

2004 12 14.0 21.8 0.0020 0.0023

2003 12 13.7 21.8 0.0020 0.0023

2002 2 2.6 21.8 0.0003 0.0004

2001 1 1.5 21.8 0.0002 0.0003

N/A 11 14.1 21.8 0.0018 0.0024

Rappahannock River 2005 6 6.4 18.8 0.0012 0.0012

2004 2 2.4 18.8 0.0004 0.0005

2003 3 4.6 18.8 0.0006 0.0009

NA 4 5.3 18.8 0.0008 0.0010

41

Table 13. Spawning histories of American shad (combined sexes) collected in spring, 2010 in the James River. Table entries are total numbers of fish that were aged (James River Station 1, n = 380; James River Station 2, n = 70). Ages are based on scale analysis by one reader (B. Watkins). Numbers in bold are virgins in year class. For the James River, the number in parentheses is the number of aged fish out of the total that had hatchery marks on their otoliths (Station 1, n = 43; Station 2, n = 9). The table truncates at age 7 since American shad are mature by that age (Maki et al., 2001).

Age at Maturity

James River

Station 1 Year Class

Age at Capture 3 4 5 6 7

2007 3 1 - - - -

2006 4 1 54(11) - - -

2005 5 4(1) 28(3) 132(14) - -

2004 6 5 31(3) 59(4) 28(6) -

2003 7 2 7(1) 12 5 0

2002 8 0 3 3 1 0

2001 9 1 2 0 0 0

2000 10 0 0 1 0 0 Age at Maturity

James River

Station 2 Year Class

Age at Capture

3

4

5

6

7

2006 4 1 10(1) - - -

2005 5 0 8 24(2) - -

2004 6 0 5(1) 9(3) 3(1) -

2003 7 0 5 4(1) 1 0

42

Table 14. Spawning histories of American shad (combined sexes) collected in spring, 2010 in the York and Rappahannock Rivers. Table entries are total numbers of fish that were aged (York River, n =226; Rapp. River, n=91). Ages are based on scale analysis by one reader (B. Watkins). Numbers in bold are virgins in year class. For both rivers, the number in parentheses are the number of aged fish out of the total that had hatchery marks on their otoliths (York, n = 3; Rapp, n=1). The table truncates at age 7 since American shad are mature by that age (Maki et al., 2001).

Age at Maturity

York River

Year Class Age at Capture 3 4 5 6 7

2006 4 2 15 - - -

2005 5 4 23 48 - -

2004 6 2 29 37 20(1) -

2003 7 0 20 10(1) 2(1) 2

2002 8 0 7 3 0 0

2001 9 0 1 1 0 0 Age at Maturity

Rapp. River

Year Class

Age at Capture

3

4

5

6

7

2006 4 0 5 - - -

2005 5 0 11 34 - -

2004 6 0 9 14(1) 7 -

2003 7 0 0 10 0 0

2000 10 0 0 1 0 0

43

Table 15. River of origin, age, number of spawns, fork length (FL), total length (TL), total weight (TW), and sex of American

shad with hatchery marks (n=70) taken in staked gill net monitoring in 2010. A total of 307 American shad were scanned for hatchery marks (JA. 1, n=149; JA. 2, n=31; RA, n=37; YK, n=90). Data are sorted by spawning history and age. Age estimates are based on scales following Cating (1953). Abbreviations are: NA, not aged; Pam, Pamunkey; Matt, Mattaponi.

Specimen Number

River Capture

Station

River Origin

Sequence Age Spawns FL (mm) TL (mm) TW (g) Sex

14259 James 1 James 3 5 0 417 456 1375.3 Female 14273 James 1 James 3 6 0 393 445 1040.7 Female 14305 James 1 James 3 5 1 440 492 1608.8 Female 14308 James 1 James 3 5 2 451 503 1564.1 Female 14311 James 1 James 3 NA NA 422 480 1234.3 Female 14314 James 1 James 3 7 3 445 495 1444.0 Male 14320 James 1 Susquehanna 3,6,12 NA NA 454 513 1727.4 Male 14366 James 1 James 3 6 1 436 493 1493.6 Female 14369 James 1 James 3 NA NA 438 492 1491.5 Female 14372 James 1 James 3 NA NA 433 491 1443.6 Female 14378 James 1 James 3 NA NA 418 471 1397.7 Female 14381 James 1 James 3 6 2 448 501 1539.7 Female 14384 James 1 James 3 5 0 425 493 1344.4 Female 14446 James 1 James 3 4 0 415 466 1149.2 Female 14449 James 1 James 3 5 0 434 489 1372.4 Female 14455 James 1 James 3 6 0 414 470 1243.7 Female 14470 James 1 James 3 4 0 415 466 1249.6 Female 14476 James 1 James 3 NA NA 409 461 1107.0 Male 14488 James 1 James 3 5 1 428 476 1176.1 Female 14540 James 1 James 3 5 0 425 475 1323.0 Female

44

Specimen Number

River Capture

Station

River Origin


14576 James 1 James 3 4 0 412 460 1207.8 Female 14582 James 1 James 3 6 2 412 470 1404.8 Female 14585 James 1 James 3 6 0 428 484 1319.8 Female 14588 James 1 James 3 5 0 415 465 1209.7 Female 14594 James 1 James 3 5 0 412 454 1110.3 Female 14693 James 1 James 3 5 0 424 475 1309.0 Female 14696 James 1 James 3 6 2 444 500 1661.1 Female 14714 James 1 James 3 NA NA 418 471 1330.9 Female 14729 James 1 James 3 6 0 425 478 1314.2 Female 14738 James 1 James 3 5 0 425 472 1300.8 Female 14741 James 1 James 3 6 1 417 471 1178.7 Male 14747 James 1 James 3 4 0 393 445 1019.9 Female 14756 James 1 James 3 5 0 420 472 1266.9 Female 14759 James 1 James 3 NA NA 433 487 1369.3 Female 14762 James 1 Susquehanna 3,6,9,12,15 4 0 418 472 1285.4 Female 14765 James 1 James 3 5 0 420 472 1295.2 Female 14771 James 1 James 3 4 0 409 460 1148.4 Female 14824 James 1 James 3 6 1 434 492 1362.0 Female 14839 James 1 James 3 5 0 410 459 1253.4 Female 14842 James 1 James 3 NA NA 415 470 1289.3 Male 14946 James 1 James 3 6 1 411 463 1280.9 Female 14961 James 1 James 3 NA NA 440 487 1581.0 Female 15021 James 1 James 3 5 0 425 472 1361.4 Female 15024 James 1 James 3 6 0 422 474 1440.1 Female 15027 James 1 James 3 5 0 428 481 1265.9 Female 15030 James 1 James 3 5 0 430 486 1299.1 Female 15033 James 1 James 3 NA NA 421 467 1386.7 Female

45

Specimen Number

River Capture

Station

River Origin


15039 James 1 James 3 4 0 393 438 1045.5 Female 15045 James 1 James 3 4 0 424 472 1381.7 Female 15100 James 1 James 3 6 0 438 496 1523.8 Female 15103 James 1 James 3 4 0 414 456 1188.4 Female 15106 James 1 James 3 5 1 434 488 1446.4 Female 15143 James 1 James 3 4 0 398 454 1116.4 Female 15146 James 1 James 3 4 0 391 442 1132.7 Female 14326 James 2 James 3 4 0 398 449 1127.0 Male 14402 James 2 James 3 6 1 458 514 1789.6 Female 14405 James 2 James 3 NA NA 470 533 1626.7 Female 14408 James 2 James 3 5 0 412 466 1225.6 Female 14602 James 2 James 3 5 0 433 485 1355.1 Female 14858 James 2 James 3 NA NA 399 452 1111.0 Female 14864 James 2 James 3 6 0 412 468 1360.9 Female 14873 James 2 James 3 6 1 403 456 1233.8 Male 14963 James 2 James 3 6 2 417 480 1307.8 Male 15081 James 2 James 3 6 1 429 482 1417.3 Female 15084 James 2 James 3 7 2 487 551 2227.9 Female 15154 James 2 James 3 NA NA 455 510 1662.6 Female 14655 Rappahannock Potomac 3,6 6 1 424 470 1554.9 Female 14347 York Pam./Matt. 3 7 1 465 527 1978.2 Female 14610 York Pam./Matt. 3 6 0 441 492 1608.1 Female 14981 York Pamunkey 3.6 7 2 443 492 1495.0 Female

46

Table 16. Total numbers in nine year classes of hatchery-marked American shad taken in staked gill nets in the James River, 1998-2010. Ages are based on examination of scales. Hatchery production data courtesy of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (D. Fowler). Abbreviation: NA, not aged.

Hatchery Year Class

Hatchery Production (millions)

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Total

% Total

1992 0.05 1 1 0.1 1993 0.5 7 2 1 10 1.3 1994 1.6 7 3 9 1 20 2.5 1995 5.3 59 9 8 4 3 83 10.6 1996 5.8 53 62 43 10 4 1 173 22.0 1997 5.9 2 27 78 57 5 4 1 174 22.2 1998 10 13 52 17 13 95 12.1 1999 7.3 14 29 7 50 6.7 2000 8.9 1 5 9 1 16 2.0 2001 9.3 3 4 3 10 1.3 2002 8.4 4 20 7 2 33 4.2 2003 8.7 12 8 1 1 22 2.8 2004 6.6 2 3 2 13 20 2.5 2005 6.0 1 18 19 2.4 2006 7.0 11 11 1.4 2007 6.5 2008 6.2 2009 3.8 2010 3.7 NA -- 12 3 5 3 1 9 2 2 11 48 6.1

Total 101.6 14 6 124 98 154 142 68 40 9 48 20 8 54 785 100.0

47

Table 17. Indexes of abundance of juvenile American shad collected in beach seine surveys (1980-2010) on the James, Chickahominy and Rappahannock rivers. The index is the geometric mean catch per haul. Abbreviations are: SD, standard deviation; N, number of seine hauls.

Year James SD N Chickahominy SD N Rappahannock SD N1980 0.05 0.192 13 0 5 0 41981 0.30 0.707 20 0 4 0 41982 0 24 0 6 0.86 7.081 61983 0 16 0 4 0.32 0.549 41984 0.04 0.173 16 0 4 0.41 0.693 41985 0 32 0 8 0 81986 0.05 0.224 24 0 6 0.06 0.200 121987 0 32 0 8 0.17 0.345 161988 0 32 0 8 0 201989 0 52 0 8 0.56 0.932 251990 0 52 0 8 0.04 0.208 281991 0 65 0 10 0 311992 0 65 0 10 0 351993 0 65 0 10 0.25 0.526 311994 0.03 0.162 65 0 10 0.11 0.301 341995 0.01 0.087 63 0 10 0 331996 0 64 0 10 0.41 0.698 331997 0 65 0 10 0.30 0.610 351998 0.02 0.122 64 0 10 0.14 0.402 291999 0 69 0 10 0.02 0.117 352000 0 70 0 10 0.08 0.245 342001 0 70 0 10 0.34 0.434 352002 0 69 0 10 0 352003 0.10 0.303 70 0 10 0.59 0.659 282004 0.05 0.195 67 0 10 0.81 0.940 352005 0 66 0 10 0.27 0.656 332006 0.21 0.441 64 0.23 0.335 10 0.11 0.302 34

2007 0.04 0.255 65 0 10 0.40 0.504 34

2008 0.01 0.087 64 0 10 0.02 0.117 35

2009 0.02 0.121 65 0.07 0.219 10 0.13 0.360 34

2010 0.02 0.121 65 0 10 1.19 1.166 33

48

Table 18. Indexes of abundance of juvenile American shad collected in beach seine surveys (1980-2010) on the Mattaponi, Pamunkey, and York rivers. The index is the geometric mean catch per haul. Abbreviations are: SD, standard deviation; N, number of seine hauls.

Year Mattaponi SD N Pamunkey SD N York SD N1980 1.76 1.064 21 0.56 0.888 9 1.15 1.014 331981 0.37 0.594 16 0.33 0.588 16 0.35 0.582 321982 13.03 1.256 16 0.51 0.543 12 4.40 1.502 281983 2.82 0.961 16 0.63 0.775 12 1.65 0.970 281984 18.05 1.150 16 0.06 0.200 12 4.52 1.694 281985 7.53 1.349 32 0.98 1.031 24 3.56 1.415 561986 1.10 0.922 24 0 18 0.49 0.774 561987 0.33 0.609 24 0 18 0.17 0.477 421988 0.05 0.203 40 0 24 0.03 0.161 641989 0.71 0.846 40 0 32 0.32 0.666 761990 0.57 0.694 40 0.02 0.123 32 0.28 0.551 761991 0.33 0.609 50 0.02 0.111 39 0.17 0.467 941992 0 39 0 32 0 751993 0.31 0.626 50 0 39 0.15 0.474 941994 1.73 1.158 50 0.15 0.435 39 0.81 0.989 941995 0.28 0.586 50 0.03 0.174 40 0.15 0.451 951996 14.66 1.356 49 2.05 1.299 39 5.89 1.570 931997 2.25 1.112 50 0.48 0.782 40 1.19 1.038 951998 2.33 1.235 48 0.08 0.478 38 0.95 1.103 911999 0.26 0.584 47 0 38 0.13 0.441 882000 5.77 1.305 39 0.08 0.256 31 1.83 1.331 742001 0.58 0.697 49 0.15 0.357 40 0.35 0.577 942002 0.23 0.496 48 0.02 0.110 40 0.12 0.374 932003 8.57 1.317 50 13.11 1.057 39 9.04 1.295 942004 7.52 1.393 47 0.10 0.287 38 2.21 1.448 902005 1.66 1.353 50 0.05 0.203 40 0.70 1.092 952006 0.93 0.916 48 0.09 0.351 37 0.47 0.760 90

2007 0.30 0.509 47 0 36 0.15 0.393 88

2008 0.11 0.303 50 0 40 0.06 0.225 95

2009 0.02 0.160 47 0 40 0.01 0.115 92

2010 0.97 1.029 50 0.06 0.189 38 0.47 0.823 93

49

Table 19. Daily numbers and seasonal totals of live or dead striped bass (SB) and other species captured by staked gill net in the James River, 2010. DNR are days that by-catch was not recorded.

Station 1 Date Live SB Dead SB Total SB Other species Total 2/16/2010 495 57 552 2 554 2/17/2010 447 76 523 4 527 2/22/2010 131 9 140 1 141 2/23/2010 110 31 141 0 141 3/1/2010 574 105 679 0 679 3/2/2010 204 47 251 2 253 3/8/2010 265 57 322 6 328 3/9/2010 406 37 443 3 446 3/15/2010 118 34 152 16 168 3/16/2010 226 3 229 15 244 3/22/2010 45 19 64 73 137 3/23/2010 46 12 58 85 143 3/29/2010 53 7 60 37 97 3/30/2010 33 0 33 61 94 4/5/2010 25 3 28 308 336 4/6/2010 11 0 11 309 320 4/12/2010 12 2 14 254 268 4/13/2010 8 3 11 270 281 4/19/2010 4 12 16 168 184 4/20/2010 12 3 15 155 170 4/26/2010 6 7 13 294 307 4/27/2010 6 6 12 298 310 5/3/2010 0 1 1 279 280 5/4/2010 0 1 1 215 216

Totals 3237 532 3769 2855 6624 Station 2 Date Live SB Dead SB Total SB Other Species Total

2/22/2010 52 16 68 6 74 2/23/2010 30 5 35 5 40 3/1/2010 643 114 757 1 758 3/8/2010 190 51 241 11 252 3/9/2010 86 38 124 8 132 3/15/2010 93 19 112 30 142 3/16/2010 282 42 324 76 400 3/22/2010 39 30 69 127 196 3/23/2010 48 3 51 189 240 3/29/2010 38 10 48 392 440 3/30/2010 DNR DNR DNR DNR DNR 4/5/2010 16 4 20 405 425 4/6/2010 11 0 11 691 702 4/12/2010 12 0 12 367 379 4/13/2010 12 5 17 339 356 4/19/2010 24 11 35 319 354 4/20/2010 18 8 26 340 366 4/26/2010 19 12 31 430 461 4/27/2010 4 9 13 441 454 5/3/2010 2 4 6 247 253 5/4/2010 3 5 8 209 217

Totals 1622 386 2008 4633 6641

50

Table 20. Daily numbers and seasonal totals of live or dead striped bass (SB) and other species captured by staked gill net in the York River, 2010.

Date Live SB Dead SB Total SB Other species Total 2/23/2010 31 7 38 3 41 2/24/2010 277 75 352 19 371 3/1/2010 856 132 988 93 1081 3/2/2010 362 125 487 52 539 3/8/2010 101 27 128 18 146 3/9/2010 52 25 77 9 86 3/15/2010 47 55 102 24 126 3/16/2010 59 101 160 45 205 3/22/2010 35 48 83 38 121 3/23/2010 12 24 36 89 125 3/29/2010 7 24 31 89 120 3/30/2010 12 21 33 67 100 4/5/2010 0 16 16 842 858 4/6/2010 9 11 20 801 821 4/12/2010 2 8 10 440 450 4/13/2010 1 6 7 346 353 4/19/2010 2 12 14 477 491 4/20/2010 7 8 15 442 457 4/26/2010 0 8 8 406 414 4/27/2010 1 2 3 659 662 5/3/2010 1 6 7 768 775 5/4/2010 0 9 9 719 728

Totals 1874 750 2624 6446 9070

51

Table 21. Daily numbers and seasonal totals of live or dead striped bass (SB) and other species captured by staked gill net in the Rappahannock River, 2010.

Date Live SB Dead SB Total SB Other species Total 3/1/2010 36 10 46 110 156 3/2/2010 42 23 65 77 142 3/8/2010 43 9 52 147 199 3/9/2010 46 16 62 190 252 3/15/2010 15 41 56 375 431 3/16/2010 61 117 178 78 256 3/22/2010 25 140 165 41 206 3/23/2010 31 116 147 114 261 3/29/2010 8 28 36 311 347 4/5/2010 52 290 342 67 409 4/6/2010 25 134 159 58 217 4/12/2010 2 9 11 239 250 4/13/2010 4 12 16 194 210 4/19/2010 8 23 31 228 259 4/20/2010 3 17 20 224 244 4/26/2010 1 12 13 158 171 4/27/2010 0 11 11 199 210 5/3/2010 4 11 15 68 83 5/4/2010 1 11 12 145 157

Totals 407 1030 1437 3023 4460

52

Table 22. Summary of historical catch and effort data of American shad by staked gill nets in the Rappahannock River, Virginia. Historical data are taken from the voluntary logbooks of Mr. M. Delano, Urbanna, Virginia.

Year Effort

(103 m/yr)

Duration of run (days)

Highest catch rate (female kg/m/day)

Mean catch rate (female kg/m/day)

Area under the catch curve (SE)

1980 43.4 35 0.121 0.036 1.79

1981 112.1 57 0.032 0.011 1.89

1982 82.3 51 0.046 0.009 1.68

1983 106.7 59 0.093 0.031 0.59

1984 30.5 48 0.139 0.033 0.60

1985 77.2 60 0.136 0.029 1.83

1986 34.9 43 0.155 0.039 2.18

1987 23.3 37 0.090 0.023 0.97

1988 23.2 53 0.073 0.025 1.25

1989 16.2 44 0.856 0.123 6.19

1990 41.3 55 0.092 0.023 1.31

1991 25.9 54 0.129 0.022 1.13

1992 8.6 51 0.299 0.044 1.44

Geometric mean

1.45

53

Table 23. Summary of recent catch and effort data of American shad by staked gill nets in the Rappahannock River, Virginia.

Year Effort

(103 m/yr) Duration of run (days)



Area under the catch curve

1998 3.8 ---- 0.053 0.020 1.46

1999 5.7 42 0.055 0.026 1.30

2000 6.6 73 0.141 0.042 1.75

2001 6.6 72 0.167 0.070 5.77

2002 5.4 57 0.110 0.028 3.08

2003 7.2 72 0.311 0.094 7.10

2004 5.2 65 0.232 0.107 7.06

2005 5.5 65 0.164 0.054 3.69

2006 6.7 75 0.088 0.037 3.01

2007 5.2 64 0.130 0.042 2.60

2008 6.1 64 0.175 0.045 3.12

2009 5.6 50 0.259 0.093 5.36

2010 5.6 50 0.088 0.027 2.03

Geometric mean

3.14

54

Table 24. Historical catch and effort data of American shad captured by staked gill nets in the York River, Virginia. 1950s historical data are taken from the voluntary logbooks of Malvin Green, Aberdeen Creek,Virginia. The data were originally recorded as numbers of female shad per meter of net per day and were converted to weight (kg) of female shad per meter of net per day, assuming an average female weight of 1.45kg. Catch rates were multiplied by 2.16 to adjust for the lower fishing power of multifilament nets compared to current monofilament nets. 1980s historical data are taken from the voluntary logbooks of Mr. R. Kellum, Achilles, Virginia.

Year Effort

(103m/yr) Duration of run (days)




1953 36.0 56 0.549 0.443 14.88

1954 45.5 54 0.699 0.434 14.04

1955 40.1 55 0.310 0.270 8.70

1956 68.8 85 1.201 0.663 33.95

1957 56.2 65 0.955 0.667 26.14

Geometric mean

17.44

1980 79.4 44 0.556 0.268 10.15

1981 114.7 51 0.259 0.121 4.35

1982 86.4 44 0.326 0.101 5.31

1983 121.3 40 0.212 0.066 3.06

1984 171.4 48 0.548 0.139 8.21

1985 205.4 49 0.227 0.091 4.61

1986 185.2 38 0.145 0.055 2.17

1987 152.9 37 0.088 0.039 1.78

1988 126.2 40 0.134 0.028 1.34

1989 146.3 55 0.397 0.131 4.92

1990 106.9 38 0.951 0.037 1.31

1991 77.8 40 0.111 0.062 2.72

1992 60.8 41 0.079 0.041 1.60

Geometric mean

3.22

55

Table 25. Summary of recent catch and effort data of American shad by staked gill nets in the York River, Virginia.

Year Effort (103m/yr)

Duration of run (days)




1998 5.7 78 1.080 0.190 14.71

1999 6.3 65 0.209 0.075 5.42

2000 6.7 76 0.276 0.086 7.52

2001 6.3 79 0.627 0.163 12.97

2002 6.7 70 0.306 0.073 7.47

2003 6.0 70 0.390 0.111 8.98

2004 4.9 65 0.448 0.157 9.72

2005 5.5 73 0.135 0.063 4.64

2006 5.5 62 0.146 0.042 2.85

2007 5.8 70 0.243 0.069 5.04

2008 5.4 65 0.228 0.050 3.28

2009 6.0 69 0.131 0.042 2.92

2010 6.0 44 0.227 0.055 4.19

Geometric mean

6.02

56

Table 26. Summary of historical catch and effort data of American shad by staked gill nets in the James River, Virginia. Historical data are taken from the voluntary logbooks of the Brown family, Rescue, Virginia.

Year Effort





1980 20.5 41 2.239 0.699 29.20

1981 67.7 41 0.547 0.130 5.20

1982 49.3 35 0.331 0.115 4.20

1983 94.0 57 1.274 0.297 16.50

1984 89.7 50 0.897 0.036 19.30

1985 91.3 45 0.295 0.103 4.90

1986 31.5 26 1.289 0.152 6.10

1987 30.1 30 0.352 0.085 2.70

1988 19.1 20 0.487 0.193 9.30

1989 31.5 30 0.331 0.176 6.40

1990 29.7 25 0.184 0.079 2.10

1991 28.3 40 0.138 0.062 1.90

1992 59.8 50 0.562 0.232 7.70

Geometric mean

6.40

57

Table 27. Summary of recent catch and effort data of American shad by staked gill nets in the James River, Virginia

Year Effort





1998 3.8 50 0.198 0.051 2.57

1999 6.0 66 0.183 0.042 2.99

2000 7.2 70 0.279 0.086 6.61

2001 6.8 78 0.285 0.064 5.01

2002 6.5 71 0.205 0.054 5.62

2003 6.6 79 0.284 0.112 9.34

2004 6.0 78 0.234 0.090 7.41

2005 5.3 72 0.357 0.099 7.16

2006 4.6 54 0.078 0.032 1.74

2007 5.5 58 0.159 0.068 4.45

2008 4.6 58 0.069 0.025 1.51

2009 6.6 55 0.130 0.035 2.69

2010 6.6 57 0.513 0.082 6.90

Geometric mean

4.26

58

Table 28. Catch comparison of primary and secondary net on the James River in 2010. Abbreviations: N = number; TL = total length.

Catches of American shad Primary Net Secondary Net Sampling Dates 16 Feb. – 4 May 22 Feb. – 4 May

Total Fish 447 94 Total Weight 625.8 kg 132.8 kg

Pre-spawn females 383 78 Males 63 13

Post-spawn Females 1 3 Largest catch of pre-spawn females

(N) 29 March (96) 30 March (19)

Spawning run duration (Dates) 57 Days (1 Mar. – 26 Apr.) 35 Days (16 Mar. – 19 Apr.) Biological Characteristics Mean age (males/females) 5.9 / 5.3 5.3 / 5.4

Mean total length at age (males/females)

478.2 - 539.0 mm TL/ 448.0 - 545.5 mm TL

449.3 - 482.0 mm TL/ 477.4 - 513.3 mm TL

Mean total weight at age (males/females)

1.3 - 1.7 kg / 1.1 – 1.9 kg 1.0 – 1.3 kg / 1.3 – 1.7 kg

Percentage of “repeat spawners” 43.4% 47.1% Hatchery evaluation Hatchery prevalence 34.9% (52 of 149 fish) 38.7% (12 of 31 fish)

Year classes present in sample 2004,2005,2006 2003,2004,2005,2006 By-catch 15 species = 6624 fish 14 species = 6641 fish

Catch Indices 6.90 1.35

59

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

VirginiaAtlantic

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990

Year

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

Met

ric T

ons

American Shad Landings

Figure 1. Commercial landings of American shad along the Atlantic coast and in Virginia since 1950. Data source: National Marine Fisheries Service, Fisheries Statistics and Economics Division.

60

Figure 2. Number and location of staked gill nets on the James River in 1983.

61

Figure 3. Number and location of staked gill nets on the York River in 1983.

62

Figure 4. Number and location of staked gill nets on the Rappahannock River in 1983.

63

Figure 5. Location of the staked gill nets fished by Mr. Marc Brown on the James River.

64

Figure 6. Location of the staked gill net fished by Mr. Raymond Kellum on the York River.

65

Figure 7. Location of the staked gill net fished by Mr. Jamie Sanders on the Rappahannock River.

66

Figure 8.1. Catch rates and total numbers of pre-spawn female American shad taken by staked gill nets in the James River: station 1, spring 2010.

Day of the Year

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Fem

ale

Cat

ch R

ate

(kg/

m)

0.00

0.25

0.50

0.75

1.00

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Num

bers

of F

emal

es

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

Total female weight: 541.2 kg

n= 383

67

Figure 8.2. Catch rates and total numbers of pre-spawn female American shad taken by staked gill nets in the James River: station 2, spring 2010.

Day of the Year

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Fem

ale

Cat

ch R

ate

(kg/

m)

0.00

0.25

0.50

0.75

1.00

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Num

bers

of F

emal

es

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120


n= 78

68

Figure 9. Catch rates and total numbers of pre-spawn female American shad taken by staked gill nets in the York River, spring 2010.

Day of Year

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Fem

ale

Cat

ch R

ates

(kg/

m)

0.00

0.25

0.50

0.75

1.00

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Num

bers

of F

emal

es

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120


n= 225

69

Figure 10. Catch rates and total numbers of pre-spawn female American shad taken by staked gill nets in the Rappahannock River, spring 2010.

Day of Year

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Fem

ale

Cat

ch R

ate

(kg/

m)

0.00

0.25

0.50

0.75

1.00

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Num

bers

of f

emal

es

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120


n= 94

70

Figure 11.1. Catch rates and total numbers of male American shad taken by staked gill nets in the James River: Station 1, spring 2010.

Day of Year

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Mal

e C

atch

Rat

e (k

g/m

)

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Num

bers

of M

ales

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Total male weight: 83.5 kg

n= 63

71

Figure 11.2. Catch rates and total numbers of male American shad taken by staked gill nets in the James River: Station 2, spring 2010.

Day of Year

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Mal

e C

atch

Rat

e (k

g/m

)

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Num

bers

of M

ales

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50


n= 13

72

Figure 12. Catch rates and total numbers of male American shad taken by staked gill nets in the York River, spring 2010.

Day of Year

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Mal

e C

atch

Rat

es (k

g/m

)

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Num

bers

of M

ales

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50


n= 45

73

Figure 13. Catch rates and total numbers of male American shad taken by staked gill nets in the Rappahannock River, spring 2010.

Day of Year

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Mal

e C

atch

Rat

e (k

g/m

)

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

Num

bers

of m

ales

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50


n= 15

74

Figure 14. Total length (mm) frequency distributions for American shad captured in staked gill nets on the James River, spring 2010.

James River Sta. 1

Total length (mm)

340 360 380 400 420 440 460 480 500 520 540 560 580 600 620 640

Freq

uenc

y

05

101520253035404550556065707580

Males, n= 63Females, n= 383

James River Sta. 2

Total length (mm)

340 360 380 400 420 440 460 480 500 520 540 560 580 600 620 640

Freq

uenc

y

05

101520253035404550556065707580


75

Figure 15. Total length (mm) frequency distributions for American shad captured in staked gill nets on the York and Rappahannock rivers, spring 2010.

York River

Total length (mm)

340 360 380 400 420 440 460 480 500 520 540 560 580 600 620 640

Freq

uenc

y

05

101520253035404550556065707580


Rappahannock River

Total length (mm)

340 360 380 400 420 440 460 480 500 520 540 560 580 600 620 640

Freq

uenc

y

05

101520253035404550556065707580


76

Figure 16. Total numbers of female American shad caught and surface temperature recorded at staked gill nets in the York and Rappahannock rivers, spring 2010.

York River

Day of year

40 60 80 100 120 140

Num

bers

of F

emal

e A

mer

ican

sha

d

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Surf

ace

Tem

pera

ture

(o c)

0

10

20

30

40

Numbers of female American shad Surface temperature (oc)

Rappahannock River

Day of year

40 60 80 100 120 140

Num

bers

of F

emal

e A

mer

ican

sha

d

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Surf

ace

Tem

pera

ture

(o c)

0

10

20

30

40Numbers of female American shad Surface Temperature (oc)

77

Figure 17. Total numbers of female American shad caught and surface temperature recorded at staked gill nets in the James River, spring 2010.

James River Sta. 1

Day of year

40 60 80 100 120 140

Num

bers

of F

emal

e A

mer

ican

sha

d

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Surf

ace

Tem

pera

ture

(o c )

0

10

20

30

40Numbers of female American shad Surface temperature (oc)

James River Sta. 2

Day of year

40 60 80 100 120 140

Num

bers

of F

emal

e A

mer

ican

sha

d

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Surf

ace

Tem

pera

ture

(o c)

0

10

20

30

40

Numbers of female American shad Surface temperature (oc)

78

Figure 18. Mean age of females taken in staked gill nets in the James, York, and Rappahannock Rivers, 1998-2010.

Year1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Mea

n A

ge o

f Fem

ales

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0James Sta. 1Rappahannock York

79

Figure 19. Mean age of females and the proportion of age-4 recruits in staked gill nets, 1998-2010.

Rappahannock River

Year1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Mea

n A

ge o

f Fem

ales

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Prop

ortio

n A

ge 4

in c

atch

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

Mean AgeProportion Age 4

York River

Year1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Mea

n A

ge o

f Fem

ales

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Prop

ortio

n A

ge 4

in c

atch

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6Mean AgeProportion Age 4

James River

Year1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Mea

n ag

e of

Fem

ales

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Prop

ortio

n A

ge 4

in c

atch

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

Mean AgeProportion Age 4

80

Figure 20. Comparison of the James River catch index to the percent of specimens with OTC hatchery marks.

James River

Year1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

Cat

ch In

dex

0

2

4

6

8

10

% H

atch

ery

Prev

alen

ce

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

James index % hatchery

81

Figure 21. The index of juvenile abundance of American shad in the York River system as estimated by daylight seine surveys, 1980-2010. The index is the geometric mean number of American shad juveniles per seine haul.

Year1980198219841986198819901992199419961998200020022004200620082010

Juve

nile

Inde

x

0

2

4

6

8

10

82

Figure 22. The index of juvenile abundance of American shad in the Mattaponi and Pamunkey rivers as estimated by daylight seine surveys, 1980-2010. The index is the geometric mean number of American shad juveniles per seine haul.

Year1980198219841986198819901992199419961998200020022004200620082010

Juve

nile

Inde

x

0

5

10

15

20

Mattaponi RiverPamunkey River

83

Figure 23. The index of juvenile abundance of American shad in the Rappahannock River as estimated by daylight seine surveys, 1980-2010. The index is the geometric mean number of American shad juveniles per seine haul. The index in 1980 and 1981 was zero.

Year1980198219841986198819901992199419961998200020022004200620082010

Juve

nile

Inde

x

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

84

Figure 24. The index of juvenile abundance of American shad in the James River as estimated by daylight seine surveys, 1980-2010. The index is the geometric mean number of American shad juveniles per seine haul.

Year1980198219841986198819901992199419961998200020022004200620082010

Juve

nile

Inde

x

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

85

Figure 25. Recent (1998-2010) and historic values of the catch index of female American shad on the James River.

James River

Year1980198219841986198819901992199419961998200020022004200620082010

Jam

es R

iver

Cat

ch In

dex

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35 Hatchery Prevalence

8.2% (n= 14) 1998 3.6% (n= 7) 1999 40.3% (n= 156) 2000 40.2% (n= 103) 2001 46.4% (n= 150) 2002 51.4% (n= 142) 2003 32.5% (n= 68) 2004 23.8% (n= 40) 2005 10.3% (n = 9) 2006 32.2% (n = 49) 2007 25.6% (n=20) 2008 8.9% (n=8) 2009 34.9% (n=52) 2010

Moratorium

86

Figure 26. Recent (1998-2010) and historic values of the catch index of female American shad on the York River.

York River

Year1980198219841986198819901992199419961998200020022004200620082010

York

Riv

er C

atch

Inde

x

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Moratorium

87

Figure 27. Recent (1998-2010) and historic values of the catch index of female American shad on the Rappahannock River.

Rappahannock River

Year1980198219841986198819901992199419961998200020022004200620082010

Rap

paha

nnoc

k R

iver

Cat

ch In

dex

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Moratorium

88

Figure 28. Catch indexes of historical logbook data from the 1950s (M. Greene), 1980s (R. Kellum), and current monitoring. The 1950s data have been adjusted by multiplying index values by 2.16 based on gear comparison trials. Horizontal lines are the geometric means of each data set (solid, 1950s; short dashes, current; long dashes, 1980s)

York River

Year1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

York

Riv

er In

dex

0

10

20

30

40

M. Green

Restoration Benchmark

R. Kellum Current

100%

20%

0%

89

Appendix I

Assessment of the 2010 Virginia by-catch of American shad and the status of the Virginia stocks

Report to the Shad and River Herring Technical Committee of the Atlantic States Marine

Fisheries Commission (ASMFC)

Dr. Eric Hilton, Dr. Rob Latour and Brian Watkins Department of Fisheries Science

Virginia Institute of Marine Science Gloucester Point, VA 23062

Background In spring 2010, scientists at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) interviewed and obtained samples of by-catch of American shad from permitted fishers who had agreed to participate in the ASMFC required monitoring program. Effort (total trips) in the 2010 American shad by-catch fishery on the York River was lower than in 2009. Effort in 2010 was slightly higher on the James River and much higher on the Rappahannock River than in 2009 (Table 1). In 2010 the reported catch from the Rappahannock River was estimated due to discrepancies and errors in reporting from that system. All fish that were obtained for biological analysis were captured in the York River. Cooperating fishers on the Rappahannock River were not available in 2010. This report is a companion to a separate report of the 2010 by-catch prepared by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) and submitted separately. Biological Characterization of the 2010 Permitted Gill Net By-Catch in Virginia A subsample of the 2010 by-catch of American shad (n=136 fish, 54.8% of the total number of fish reported to VMRC) was obtained from four cooperating gill netters and processed for length, weight, sex, maturity stage, age, and the presence of hatchery (OTC) marks. The by-catch subsample contained 24 males and 112 females harvested in anchored and staked gill nets. The subsample ranged in size and age from 353-569 mm TL and 3-8 years (Table 2). Virgin and repeat spawners (54% and 46% respectively) were both present in the subsample. One hatchery-produced American shad was present in the by-catch subsample. Biological data on these fish are presented in Table 2. By-Catch and Discards by Pound Nets in Virginia In addition to the permitted by-catch samples of American shad taken in gill nets, VIMS scientists examined pound net samples from three pound net fishers operating at locations in the upper and lower portions of Chesapeake Bay, including the western and eastern shores (Figure 1). Pound net fishers had special permits to take American shad

90

for scientific monitoring, but their catches were not permitted to be sold or retained as by-catch by the VMRC. Daily log books were also obtained from two of these cooperating fishers.

Samples of up to 51 American shad were collected from each pound net fisher at intervals of approximately every two weeks (Figure 2). Fish in these samples were taken randomly from the total catch on a given day or represented the entire catch from a single fishing day. Some samples were taken more frequently when individual operations were catching American shad. A total of 399 American shad were processed for length, weight, sex, maturity stage, and age. Laboratory scans for hatchery marks are still in process. Biological information is recorded for each date of harvest in Tables 3-5. Year class composition from each pound net location is reported in Table 6. Numbers of males and females captured were similar (193 males; 206 females). Sex ratios (males:females) were: Great Wicomico, 1:0.77; Rappahannock River, 1:1.1; Cape Charles, 1:1.5. Maturity stages were determined macroscopically for females in the laboratory. Spawning ratios (prespawning:postspawning) of females were: Great Wicomico, 1:0.01; Rappahannock River, 1:0.04; Cape Charles, 1:1.63.

Our monitoring indicated that post-spawning fish exiting the Chesapeake Bay were taken by pound nets on the eastern shore near the Bay mouth.

A total of 3023 discarded American shad were recorded in commercial log book

records of two pound net fishers in the spring of 2010 (Figures 3-4). We were unable to obtain log books from one other operator although we did purchase fish for biological characterization from those nets. Results of the 2010 Fishery-Independent Monitoring Studies

The catch index values (the area of the curve of catch rate versus day of the year) of pre-spawning American shad in fishery-independent staked gill net monitoring is depicted in Figure 5.

On the Rappahannock River, the 2010 index was 2.03, which is the lowest value

seen since 2000. In 2010 the catch index on the James River (6.90) increased from the 2009 value

of 2.69. This is the highest value seen since 2005. The 2010 York River index is 4.18. The trend of the York River monitoring data

is a downward slope of catch index values through the 12-y time series.

91

Table 1. 2010 American shad by-catch permit and harvest data. Data provided by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Abbreviations : U, Unknown; *, estimate.

Water Body Year # Permit Holders

# Active Permits Total Trips # Shad

Caught # Shad Kept

2010 9 0 7 0 0 2009 8 1 6 2 0 2008 6 2 3 3 3 2007 16 7 58 119 52

James River

2006 32 5 27 24 23 2010 9 5 43 229 208 2009 11 6 97 302 288 2008 10 6 85 89 89 2007 15 8 104 199 199

York River

2006 31 5 198 233 228 2010 7 2 10 U 40* 2009 1 0 0 0 0 2008 3 1 8 81 57 2007 5 2 23 22 20

Rappahannock River

2006 14 2 8 3 3

92

Table 2. Biological characteristics by sampling date for American shad permitted by-catch samples processed at VIMS. Abbreviations: YK, York River; *, Unreadable; SGN, Staked Gill Net; AGN, Anchor Gill Net; X, Not processed.

Date Fisherman River Gear FL TL Weight

(g) Sex Age # Previous

Spawns OTC 3/8/2010 1 YK SGN 433 486 1378.9 2 7 3 N 3/16/2010 2 YK AGN 486 539 1957.8 2 * * X 3/16/2010 2 YK AGN 410 457 1226.9 2 * * X 3/16/2010 2 YK AGN 483 537 2065.5 2 7 3 N 3/16/2010 2 YK AGN 434 482 1631.4 2 6 2 X 3/16/2010 2 YK AGN 431 493 1664.1 2 7 2 X 3/16/2010 2 YK AGN 459 517 1740.6 2 6 1 N 3/17/2010 2 YK AGN 399 450 1239.7 1 6 2 X 3/17/2010 2 YK AGN 438 497 1552 2 4 0 N 3/17/2010 2 YK AGN 456 514 1750.3 2 * * X 3/17/2010 2 YK AGN 460 515 1916.9 2 * * X 3/17/2010 2 YK AGN 477 530 2125.4 2 * * X 3/17/2010 2 YK AGN 433 480 1590.5 2 6 2 N 3/22/2010 2 YK AGN 456 516 1786.5 2 * * X 3/22/2010 2 YK AGN 478 539 2128.1 2 8 4 X 3/22/2010 2 YK AGN 454 508 1685.6 2 6 2 N 3/22/2010 2 YK AGN 481 550 1994.4 2 7 2 N 3/22/2010 2 YK AGN 420 480 1161 1 5 1 X 3/22/2010 2 YK AGN 436 483 1406.3 2 5 1 X 3/22/2010 2 YK AGN 448 510 1686.9 2 6 2 N 3/21/2010 2 YK AGN 510 569 2000.3 2 * * X 3/21/2010 2 YK AGN 433 493 1549.6 2 6 2 X 3/21/2010 2 YK AGN 447 502 1563.3 2 6 0 N 3/21/2010 2 YK AGN 456 510 1869.3 2 7 2 X

93

3/21/2010 2 YK AGN 455 511 1672.8 2 6 2 X 3/29/2010 1 YK SGN 406 451 1316.1 2 5 0 X 3/29/2010 1 YK SGN 429 482 1305.9 2 5 1 X 3/31/2010 1 YK SGN 442 488 1393 2 6 0 N 3/31/2010 1 YK SGN 457 511 1704.1 2 5 1 X 3/31/2010 1 YK SGN 418 468 1356.2 1 7 3 X 4/2/2010 1 YK SGN 445 504 1504.9 2 5 0 N 4/2/2010 1 YK SGN 466 526 1822 2 5 0 X 4/2/2010 1 YK SGN 440 495 1363.2 1 * * Y 4/2/2010 1 YK SGN 420 480 1353.4 2 * * X 4/2/2010 1 YK SGN 461 521 1747.4 2 6 2 X 4/3/2010 1 YK SGN 414 477 1322.8 2 5 0 X 4/3/2010 1 YK SGN 396 447 1124.8 2 * * X 4/3/2010 1 YK SGN 431 473 1416.4 2 5 1 X 4/3/2010 1 YK SGN 420 474 1431.5 2 5 0 X 4/3/2010 1 YK SGN 437 499 1517.4 2 5 1 X 4/3/2010 1 YK SGN 424 482 1502.1 2 5 0 N 4/3/2010 1 YK SGN 429 492 1473.3 2 5 0 X 4/3/2010 1 YK SGN 476 539 1943.1 2 6 3 X 4/3/2010 1 YK SGN 414 472 1275 1 6 2 N 4/3/2010 1 YK SGN 432 488 1504.9 2 5 0 N 4/3/2010 3 YK AGN 458 518 1667.7 2 6 2 X 4/3/2010 3 YK AGN 421 476 1454.1 2 * * X 4/3/2010 3 YK AGN 422 473 1397.3 2 5 0 X 4/3/2010 3 YK AGN 411 463 1280.2 2 5 0 N 4/3/2010 3 YK AGN 418 474 1197.5 2 4 0 X 4/3/2010 3 YK AGN 396 449 1288.1 2 4 0 X 4/3/2010 3 YK AGN 422 472 1358.3 2 5 0 X 4/3/2010 3 YK AGN 391 441 1025.2 1 5 1 N 4/3/2010 3 YK AGN 412 470 1298.6 2 4 0 N 4/3/2010 3 YK AGN 422 474 1483.1 2 5 0 N

94

4/4/2010 1 YK SGN 438 493 1661.4 2 7 3 X 4/4/2010 1 YK SGN 416 470 1325.6 2 5 0 X 4/4/2010 1 YK SGN 422 475 1384.7 2 6 0 N 4/4/2010 1 YK SGN 423 481 1485.5 2 5 0 X 4/4/2010 1 YK SGN 429 486 1510.4 2 6 2 X 4/4/2010 1 YK SGN 418 474 1241.9 2 5 0 X 4/4/2010 1 YK SGN 420 472 1301.9 2 4 0 N 4/4/2010 1 YK SGN 440 491 1539.8 2 6 0 X 4/4/2010 1 YK SGN 442 502 1552.5 2 5 0 X 4/4/2010 1 YK SGN 417 477 1260.7 2 4 0 N 4/4/2010 3 YK AGN 414 472 1325.8 2 5 0 N 4/4/2010 3 YK AGN 403 455 1203.5 2 4 0 X 4/4/2010 3 YK AGN 444 501 1500 1 7 2 X 4/4/2010 3 YK AGN 426 480 1479.1 2 5 0 N 4/4/2010 3 YK AGN 440 492 1458.3 2 6 1 X 4/4/2010 3 YK AGN 429 487 1404.6 2 5 1 X 4/4/2010 3 YK AGN 428 482 1295.3 2 6 1 N 4/4/2010 3 YK AGN 418 471 1136.2 1 4 0 X 4/4/2010 3 YK AGN 434 491 1567.4 2 4 0 X 4/4/2010 3 YK AGN 412 462 1415.6 2 5 2 X 4/5/2010 1 YK SGN 447 505 1502.8 2 5 0 X 4/5/2010 1 YK SGN 440 492 1668.8 2 7 3 N 4/5/2010 1 YK SGN 434 492 1369.7 2 5 0 X 4/5/2010 1 YK SGN 429 482 1512.4 2 5 0 X 4/5/2010 1 YK SGN 454 508 1626.9 2 5 0 X 4/5/2010 1 YK SGN 425 480 1414.4 2 6 1 N 4/5/2010 1 YK SGN 455 513 1647.2 2 6 2 N 4/5/2010 3 YK AGN 382 438 1049.5 2 * * N 4/5/2010 3 YK AGN 461 515 1540.1 2 6 1 X 4/5/2010 3 YK AGN 408 471 1216 2 * * N 4/5/2010 3 YK AGN 432 482 1427.8 2 * * X

95

4/5/2010 3 YK AGN 429 488 1167.5 1 7 3 X 4/5/2010 3 YK AGN 444 495 1482.1 2 5 1 X 4/5/2010 3 YK AGN 428 480 1231.4 2 5 0 X 4/5/2010 3 YK AGN 370 422 785.5 1 4 1 X 4/5/2010 3 YK AGN 408 460 1346.3 2 5 1 X 4/5/2010 3 YK AGN 424 480 1422.8 2 6 1 N 4/5/2010 4 YK AGN 315 353 520.1 1 3 0 X 4/5/2010 4 YK AGN 336 382 579.7 1 4 0 X 4/5/2010 4 YK AGN 345 393 609.8 1 4 0 N 4/5/2010 4 YK AGN 331 370 513 1 3 0 X 4/6/2010 1 YK SGN 500 565 2093.8 2 8 2 X 4/6/2010 1 YK SGN 429 477 1468.5 2 4 0 N 4/6/2010 3 YK AGN 429 488 1396.1 2 5 0 X 4/6/2010 3 YK AGN 486 550 2023.9 2 * * X 4/6/2010 3 YK AGN 420 467 1339 2 * * X 4/6/2010 3 YK AGN 420 473 1305.9 2 5 0 N 4/6/2010 3 YK AGN 406 465 1282.3 2 6 1 X 4/6/2010 3 YK AGN 415 471 1404.4 2 6 1 X 4/6/2010 3 YK AGN 441 496 1697.9 2 6 1 X 4/6/2010 3 YK AGN 429 482 1262.3 2 4 0 N 4/6/2010 3 YK AGN 386 438 1138.8 2 3 0 X 4/6/2010 3 YK AGN 393 445 1128 2 5 0 N 4/6/2010 4 YK AGN 313 355 470.5 1 3 0 N 4/6/2010 4 YK AGN 336 379 545.8 1 5 0 X 4/6/2010 4 YK AGN 350 392 697.5 1 4 0 X 4/6/2010 4 YK AGN 314 357 487.5 1 4 0 N 4/6/2010 4 YK AGN 390 440 1047 2 4 0 X 4/6/2010 4 YK AGN 331 379 570.6 1 3 0 X 4/6/2010 4 YK AGN 325 376 548.6 1 4 0 X 4/6/2010 4 YK AGN 347 384 652.8 1 3 0 N 4/6/2010 4 YK AGN 346 396 668 1 4 0 X

96

4/7/2010 3 YK AGN 403 456 1272.9 2 5 0 N 4/7/2010 3 YK AGN 456 510 1405.7 2 6 1 X 4/7/2010 3 YK AGN 401 451 1162.8 1 6 1 X 4/7/2010 3 YK AGN 420 471 1337.7 2 5 0 X 4/7/2010 3 YK AGN 436 493 1544.6 2 5 0 N 4/7/2010 3 YK AGN 461 519 1847.2 2 6 1 X 4/7/2010 3 YK AGN 388 436 1078.5 2 4 0 X 4/7/2010 3 YK AGN 414 461 1192.8 1 4 0 X 4/7/2010 3 YK AGN 456 514 1816.7 2 6 2 N 4/7/2010 3 YK AGN 445 497 1559.7 2 6 1 N 4/12/2010 3 YK AGN 414 461 1243.7 2 * * X 4/12/2010 3 YK AGN 431 487 1286.8 2 * * X 4/12/2010 3 YK AGN 471 527 2100.7 2 6 1 N 4/12/2010 3 YK AGN 429 478 1388.6 2 * * X 4/12/2010 3 YK AGN 420 467 1335.7 2 * * X 4/12/2010 3 YK AGN 408 463 1219.4 2 6 1 N 4/13/2010 3 YK AGN 407 460 1205.8 2 5 0 N 4/13/2010 3 YK AGN 397 445 1177.1 2 * * X 4/13/2010 3 YK AGN 395 449 1043.5 2 4 0 X

97

Table 3. Biological data of American shad (n=161) collected from a pound net located at the mouth of the Great Wicomico River. Abbreviations: TW, total weight; Avg, Average; P. Spent, Partially Spent.

Date Maturity Stage

# Females

TW (kg)

Avg Weight Per fish

(g)

# Males TW (kg)

Avg Weight Per fish

(g) 3/15/2010 Maturing 9 13.62 1513.69 Hydrated P. Spent Spent Unstaged 29 28.16 970.99 3/29/2010 Maturing 4 6.38 1594.98 Hydrated P. Spent Spent Unstaged 19 17.45 918.36 4/15/2010 Maturing 28 37.52 1339.87 Hydrated P. Spent Spent Unstaged 19 16.57 872.25 4/29/2010 Maturing 18 24.27 1348.17

Hydrated P. Spent 1 1.22 1220.10 Spent Unstaged 8 7.91 988.28

5/12/2010 Maturing 10 12.87 804.66 Hydrated

P. Spent Spent Unstaged 16 13.56 1355.95

Total 70 95.88 1369.71 91 83.65 919.23

98

Table 4. Biological data of American shad (n=98) collected from a pound net located at the mouth of the Rappahannock River. Abbreviations: TW, total weight; Avg, Average; P. Spent, Partially Spent.

Date Maturity Stage

# Females

TW (kg)

Avg Weight Per fish

(g)

# Males TW (kg)

Avg Weight Per fish

(g) 4/14/2010 Maturing 13 18.47 1420.85

Hydrated P. Spent Spent Unstaged 19 15.86 834.73

4/26/2010 Maturing 11 12.83 1166.20 Hydrated P. Spent Spent Unstaged 16 10.87 679.38

5/12/2010 Maturing 19 22.17 1166.88 Hydrated 2 3.06 1528.50 P. Spent Spent Unstaged 5 3.70 739.20

5/26/2010 Maturing 5 6.44 1288.40 Hydrated P. Spent 1 1.14 1139.10 Spent 1 .80 799.20 Unstaged 6 4.50 750.70

Total 52 64.91 1248.27 46 34.93 759.35

99

Table 5. Biological data of American shad (n=140) collected from a pound net

located in the vicinity of Cape Charles, VA. Abbreviations: TW, total weight; Avg, Average; P. Spent, Partially Spent.

Date Maturity Stage

# Females

TW (kg)

Avg Weight Per fish

(g)

# Males TW (kg)

Avg Weight Per fish

(g) 4/2/2010 Maturing 10 13.16 1316.18 Hydrated P. Spent Spent Unstaged 9 9.27 1030.20 4/5/2010 Maturing 12 16.47 1372.49 Hydrated P. Spent Spent Unstaged 17 18.85 1108.97 5/3/2010 Maturing 8 9.99 1248.79 Hydrated P. Spent 16 12.98 810.98 Spent 12 9.89 824.34 Unstaged 15 11.57 771.53 5/21/2010 Maturing 2 3.33 1662.70 Hydrated P. Spent 15 11.96 797.11 Spent 9 7.20 800.08 Unstaged 15 11.15 743.27

Total 84 84.98 1011.67 56 50.84 907.86

100

Table 6. Year class composition of fish taken in pound nets in 2010, indicated as percent of aged catch from three pound net locations in Chesapeake Bay.

Year Class Great Wicomico Cape Charles Rappahannock2007 8.9 3.0 18.0 2006 39.2 33.0 38.0 2005 32.9 42.0 35.0 2004 16.5 15.0 9.0 2003 1.3 3.0 0.0 2002 1.3 3.0 0.0

Males

2001 0.0 0.0 0.0 2007 1.0 0.0 0.0 2006 10.0 15.0 18.0 2005 47.0 57.0 58.0 2004 32.0 19.0 18.0 2003 9.0 7.0 6.0 2002 0.0 2.0 0.0

Females

2001 0.0 0.0 0.0

101

Figure 1. Location of pound net operations with special American Shad by-catch permits.

102

Figure 2. Number of American Shad processed by VIMS caught with special pound net by-catch permits. N is the number of samples obtained.

Fisher 1 Fisher 2 Fisher 3

Num

ber o

f Am

eric

an S

had

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

n = 5

n = 4

n = 4

103

Figure 3. Catches (number of shad per trip) in pound nets located in the upper Virginia Chesapeake Bay near the Great Wicomico River. Data are taken from 2010 commercial fisher log books.

Great Wicomico River - 2010

Day of Year

60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Num

ber o

f Am

eric

an S

had

0

20

40

60

80

100

120Net 1Net 2Net 3Net 4

n = 2524

104

Figure 4. Catches (number of shad per trip) in pound nets located in the upper Virginia Chesapeake Bay near the Rappahannock River mouth. Data are taken from 2010 commercial fisher log books.

Rappahannock River - 2010

Day of Year

60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Num

ber o

f Am

eric

an S

had

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Net 1Net 2

n = 499

105

Figure 5. Time series of catch index from staked gill net monitoring in Virginia, 1998-2010.

Rappahannock River

Year1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Cat

ch In

dex

0

5

10

15

20

James River

Year1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Cat

ch In

dex

0

5

10

15

20

York River

Year1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Cat

ch In

dex

0

5

10

15

20

Documents

Monitoring Relative Abundance of American Shad in Virginia Rivers · 2019. 8. 1. · 1980-1992, and subsequently used in an assessment of the status of American shad stocks along